Brett Lawrie (finger) took batting practice on the field at the Blue Jays' complex in Dunedin, Florida, on Wednesday.

Lawrie also took ground balls during his work on the field, and Jays manager John Gibbons said Lawrie may be ready to begin a rehab assignment by this weekend. It's a nice development for the infielder, who was believed to still be a few weeks away from returning. He could rejoin the club in early August after a short rehab assignment if things continue to progress.

Lawrie (finger) could be ready to begin a rehab assignment this weekend, the National Post's John Lott reports.

Manager John Gibbons said Lawrie is feeling better and took on-field batting practice and threw across the diamond Wednesday. Assuming he goes on a rehab assignment in the next few days, he could return to the Jays by mid-August.

Brett Lawrie (finger) has begun hitting off a tee but has yet to face live pitching.

It's not clear when he'll be cleared for batting practice. Lawrie needs to go out on a rehab assignment before returning and the expectation is that he's still at least a couple weeks away from a return. He's been on the shelf since late June with a fractured right index finger.

Brett Lawrie had the splint on his fractured right index finger removed on Friday.

Lawrie is now able to begin strengthening exercises. He's still a couple weeks away from a return but is progressing slowly but surely.

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said Friday that there's no timetable for Brett Lawrie's (finger) return.

Lawrie is improving, but he's not close. It was reported in late June when he fractured his right index finger that Lawrie was expected to miss 3-6 weeks. He's already past the three-week mark of that timetable.

Brett Lawrie (finger) is expected to be sidelined for 3-6 weeks.

Lawrie broke his right index finger when he was hit by a pitch from Cincinnati's Johnny Cueto on Sunday. The Blue Jays will go with Juan Francisco at third base and a combination of Munenori Kawasaki and Steve Tolleson at second base during his absence.

Blue Jays placed 3B Brett Lawrie on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured right index finger.

Lawrie suffered the injury Sunday when he was struck by a Johnny Cueto pitch. The Blue Jays haven't yet offered up a timetable for his return. The third baseman seems certain to be sidelined through the All-Star break.

An X-rays has revealed a fracture of Brett Lawrie's right index finger.

Lawrie suffered the break when he was hit by a Johnny Cueto pitch Sunday. It's not clear at this point how long the infielder will be sidelined, but obviously a trip to the disabled list is coming.

Brett Lawrie left Sunday's game versus the Reds after being hit on the right hand by a pitch.

Lawrie missed a game last week after being hit on the left hand, and now he's been plunked on the other hand. He initially stayed in the game to run the bases but was removed when the Blue Jays went on defense. The club should provide an update on his status before long.

Brett Lawrie (hand) went 3-for-5 with a solo homer in his return to action Friday.

Lawrie sat out Thursday's game after he was hit by a pitch on Wednesday, but it's safe to say that his hand feels fine now. The 24-year-old has already reached a new career-high with 12 home runs.

Brett Lawrie is back in the Blue Jays' lineup Friday.

Lawrie sat out Thursday after having to exit Wednesday's contest when he was hit on the left hand by a pitch, but obviously he's feeling better now. The 24-year-old is batting .237/.292/.406 with 11 homers and 37 RBI across 66 games for the Jays this season.

Brett Lawrie (hand) is out of Thursday's lineup against the Yankees.

Lawrie left Wednesday's game after he was hit in the left hand by a pitch, but fortunately X-rays came back negative. Consider him day-to-day for now.

X-rays taken Wednesday on the left hand of Brett Lawrie turned up negative.

Lawrie was hit by a pitch on his left hand in the fourth inning of Wednesday's game against the Yankees. He should be considered day-to-day. Steve Tolleson replaced him at the hot corner in the top of the fifth.

Brett Lawrie left Wednesday's game after being hit by a pitch on the left hand in the fourth inning.

Lawrie was 0-for-1 with a run and a strikeout prior to leaving the game Wednesday. Steve Tolleson replaced him at third base.

Brett Lawrie hit a solo homer, walked, and scored two runs Thursday against the Tigers.

Juan Francisco and Lawrie went back-to-back in the sixth inning against Justin Verlander. Lawrie has hit safely in six straight games to pull his batting average up to .240, his highest since back on May 17. While he hasn't hit for average this year, he's already up to 10 home runs.

Brett Lawrie went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Tuesday's win over the Tigers.

Lawrie's three-run home run in the ninth inning seemed like excess padding, as it boosted the Jays' lead to 5-0, but proved necessary as the Tigers staged an attempt at a comeback, scoring three times in the bottom half of the inning. Lawrie's ninth blast of the season, which came off of Al Alburquerque, boosts his slash line to .239/.286/.418 along with 34 RBI.

Brett Lawrie launched a solo homer in Saturday's win over the Athletics.

It was his eighth home run of the season. Lawrie has cooled down a bit recently, but he's hitting .298 over his last 24 games.

Brett Lawrie hit his seventh homer and made his fifth appearance at second base Monday against the Angels.

Both items are good news for his owners. He should now be eligible at second in most formats, giving his value a boost. Lawrie is 15-for-36 with two homers and three doubles over his last nine games.

Brett Lawrie returned to the Blue Jays' lineup Monday.

Lawrie had missed the last six games because of a right hamstring injury. The 24-year-old is at third base Monday, but he's expected to see ample time at second base with the Jays wanting to keep Juan Francisco's bat in the lineup.

Brett Lawrie (hamstring) is expected back in the Blue Jays' lineup on Monday.

Lawrie is available in an emergency Sunday and will be back in there Monday against the Angels. He's missed the last week of action with a strained right hamstring. Lawrie is expected to receive plenty of playing time at second base going forward in an effort to keep Juan Francisco's bat in the lineup.