DENVER -- Colorado Rockies first baseman Justin Morneau, who's missed most of the season with a neck injury and concussion symptoms, begins a minor league rehab assignment with the Double-A New Britain Rock Cats on Friday night.
Morneau hasn't played since suffering whiplash and a concussion while diving for a ball in Anaheim on May 13.
Morneau missed significant time in 2010 and '11 with concussions.
Earlier this month, Morneau took batting practice on the field for the first time since his latest injury and said his goal was to return to the Rockies this season.
Morneau won the National League batting crown with a .319 average last season, his first with the Rockies.
The Rockies and Morneau, 34, have a mutual $9 million option for 2016.