WASHINGTON -- Terry Collins said Mike Baxter's rehab assignment is going well. But the manager noted Baxter is still a "ways" from rejoining the major league club.

Baxter, who is returning from a displaced right collarbone and fractured rib cartilage, has not yet thrown a baseball, according to the manager. He began DHing on Sunday with Class A St. Lucie.

Rehab assignments for position players are a maximum of 20 days. So it would appear, barring a setback, the Mets would active Baxter no later than Aug. 4 in San Diego.