KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The timetable on Carlos Quentin returning to the starting lineup is still a bit blurry, but for the first time in over a month, the White Sox now have a starting point with their All-Star left fielder.

Manager Ozzie Guillen announced on Friday, that Quentin was sent out to Class AAA Charlotte and was scheduled to play three innings with the Knights on Saturday.

The 2008 MVP candidate has been on the shelf with Plantar Fasciitis in his left foot since May 26, and said two weeks ago that even if the tendon in the foot holds up the rest of the season, he could be facing offseason surgery when the curtain falls on 2009.

Guillen and the organization want to make sure that he just gets to the end of this season without any setbacks.

“We’ll see what happens,’’ Guillen said. “I’m very optimistic about his improvement. But in the meanwhile, I have to see it first, then I’ll get excited.’’

While Quentin could join the team right after the All-Star Break, Guillen hopes that Quentin is honest with where he’s at during his rehab, and the club has its guard up on when to bring him back.

“He should play a little bit more to see exactly where he is,’’ Guillen continued. “I know when you send any player from the majors to Triple-A, they get anxious to get back here.’’

Before going down to injury, Quentin was hitting .229 with eight home runs.