Stephen Drew (ankle) is expected to begin his minor league rehab assignment Sunday. Drew isn't close to returning, but with extended spring workouts ending, he'll be forced to continue his rehab in the minors. The Diamondbacks were originally hoping he'd be cleared to return last week. He remains without a timetable.

Stephen Drew (ankle) plans to play nine innings in back-to-back extended spring training games Friday and Saturday. It would be a major step for Drew, who has yet to play nine innings in consecutive games while rehabbing his surgically-repaired ankle. The D-Backs were originally hoping that the 28-year-old shortstop would start a rehab assignment approximately 10 days ago, but he has dealt with lingering soreness.

Stephen Drew (ankle) played nine innings in an extended spring training game Saturday. The D'Backs had hoped that he'd be ready to begin a rehab assignment after one or two extended spring game, but it appears that he's not ready just yet. "He's getting better," manager Kirk Gibson said. "He's still not ready to go out yet (on a rehab assignment)." Drew should return sometime in June.

Stephen Drew (ankle) will play in one or two extended spring training games before beginning a rehab assignment with Triple-A Reno. The D'Backs had hoped that Drew could start a rehab assignment Sunday, but he's dealing with a bit of soreness in his surgically-repaired ankle and the team doesn't want to push the envelope. Assuming he does indeed begin playing for Reno soon, Drew should be ready to rejoin the big club in early June.

Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson said that Stephen Drew (ankle) could begin a minor league rehab assignment Sunday with Triple-A Reno. Drew has been playing in extended spring training games for over a week and was able to slide during a simulated drill Saturday for the first time since ankle surgery. There's no telling how the ankle will respond to game activity, so his rehab assignment figures to be a lengthy one, but this is obviously an encouraging sign. It would be wise to stash him on a DL spot if he's still available in your fantasy league.

Stephen Drew was able to slide during a simulated drill Saturday for the first time since suffering a fractured and dislocated right ankle last July. Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic referred to the sliding as "the last major hurdle" for Drew. "It was great. It was good. I think it's a good hurdle for him, a considerable step," Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson said. Drew has been playing in extended spring games for nearly a week now and should be ready for a rehab assignment shortly. A late May or early June return is looking likely.

Stephen Drew (ankle) went 3-for-5 with a triple and a run scored Thursday in an extended spring training game. Drew has appeared in a handful of extended spring training games already and is scheduled to play in another one on Sunday. It's not clear when he'll go out on an official rehab assignment, but he must be getting pretty close by now.

Stephen Drew (ankle) went 2-for-5 with an RBI triple and a run scored while playing five innings Tuesday in an extended spring training game. Drew last played in a game Saturday before taking Sunday off and working out Monday at Chase Field. The Diamondbacks aren't going to rush him back, but he is getting very close to going out on a minor league rehab assignment. If he's still available in your fantasy league, now would be the time to stash him on a DL-spot.

Stephen Drew (ankle) is scheduled to begin a minor league rehab assignment on Thursday. Drew will start out by playing just three innings and slowly work his way up to full nine-inning games. The 29-year-old shortstop has been on the disabled list since the start of the regular season due to his ongoing recovery from ankle surgery. He should be cleared to join the Diamondbacks' starting lineup in about two weeks.

Stephen Drew (ankle) is scheduled to take live batting practice Tuesday. Barring any setbacks, Drew will participate in another extended spring training game later this week. There's no formal timetable for his return, though he is inching ever-closer to a minor league rehab assignment. Feel free to stash him on a DL spot if he's still available in your fantasy league.