Stephen Drew (ankle) was able to take grounders again Thursday with no pain or discomfort. "It's coming along well, a little better than what I thought overall," Drew said. "Still, lateral [movements] like everything is going to need improvement." The 28-year-old shortstop told reporters earlier this month that he is optimistic about being ready for Opening Day. And he's made good progress thus far in spring camp.

Stephen Drew took grounders Monday for the first time since fracturing his ankle last July. Drew told reporters earlier this month that he is "optimistic" about getting back to 100 percent health by Opening Day. And after feeling no pain or discomfort during Monday's workout, he would seem to be on the right track. The 28-year-old shortstop could be a sleeper in fantasy drafts.

Stephen Drew (ankle) remains "optimistic" about being ready by Opening Day. "I'm optimistic," Drew said. "Hopefully I will start Opening Day, but I don't know. I'm not going to sit here and lie to your face and be like, 'I'll be ready for Opening Day.' I can't tell you that right now. It takes time. How much time? I don't know." Drew underwent surgery in October to repair a fracture right ankle and since July has been waking up at 5:30 AM every morning for physical therapy. He admits to having weeks where he didn't make much progress, but he feels he turned a corner three weeks ago and has been able to jog lately with no issues. Willie Bloomquist and John McDonald will handle shortstop if Drew isn't ready in time.

Diamondbacks' general manager Kevin Towers said during a web chat Thursday that "we still think there's a chance" Stephen Drew (ankle) will be ready for Opening Day. "With Stephen, he's progressing every week," wrote Towers. "He's swinging the bat now and doing baseball-specific agility drills, which is good. We still think there's a chance that he could be ready by Opening Day. Until we start playing games and see where he's at, so far the drills are in a controlled environment and game speed can be different. We'll have a better idea then." It's important to note that Drew is headed into what is essentially his contract year (his $10 million option for 2013 includes a $1.35 buyout), so he'll likely take every precaution before playing in games. The D-Backs re-signed Willie Bloomquist and John McDonald over the winter, so they have some insurance in the event that he begins the season on the disabled list. Needless to say, fantasy owners should monitor this situation closely in the coming weeks.

Stephen Drew (hernia, ankle) is fully expected to be ready for the start of the 2012 season. Drew fractured his right ankle in July, then underwent hernia surgery in October. But he's experienced no setbacks in his rehab thus far and should be ready to man shortstop for the Snakes on Opening Day in April.

Stephen Drew underwent hernia surgery last month. Drew is currently recovering from a fractured right ankle and was set back about 10 days by the hernia procedure. There's no guarantee that he'll be ready by the start of the 2012 season, which is why the Diamondbacks have already signed both John McDonald and Willie Bloomquist.

Diamondbacks transferred SS Stephen Drew from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list. He was transferred in order to clear a spot for Paul Goldschmidt on the 40-man roster. Drew had surgery last month to repair his fractured right ankle and is expected to miss the rest of the season.

Stephen Drew underwent surgery to repair his fractured right ankle on Thursday afternoon. Drew suffered the injury Wednesday while sliding into home plate. He's not expected to return to the major leagues this season and will finish the 2011 campaign having posted a .252/.317/.396 slash line in 86 games. The Diamondbacks are turning starting shortstop duties over to Cody Ransom and Willie Bloomquist.

Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson said Stephen Drew would miss the rest of the season with a fractured right ankle. One wonders if the Diamondbacks just became sellers instead of buyers. They might well want to go get a cheap shortstop anyway, though. As is, they're likely to call up Cody Ransom to split time with Willie Bloomquist.

Stephen Drew has been diagnosed with a fractured right ankle and could require surgery. Terrible news. Drew suffered the injury on Wednesday night while sliding into home plate. He will be placed on the disabled list Thursday morning and could be in danger of missing the rest of the 2011 regular season. Cody Ransom, sporting a 1.060 OPS and 25 home runs at Triple-A Reno, is likely to join the Diamondbacks shortly.