D-backs’ Drew working hard to regain health

Needless to say, this offseason hasn’t been a normal one
for Stephen Drew.

The Diamondbacks shortstop suffered a nasty broken right
ankle in a loss to the Milwaukee Brewers last July 20, and
ever since has been working hard to get back to playing
shape.

“It’s been a long offseason,” Drew told Arizona Sports
620’s Burns and Gambo Saturday at the annual Subway
FanFest at Chase Field. “I’ve never been in a situation
where I’ve had a major injury like this and have to come
back from it.”

Since breaking into the majors, Drew has been a stalwart
in the Arizona lineup, averaging 147 games played between
2007 and 2010. Missing games, being away from teammates
and rehabilitation are all new experiences for the 28-
year-old. But none of that has dampened his desire to get
back on the field as soon as possible.

Drew has subscribed to a rigorous rehab schedule basically
since the injury happened.

“I’ve worked hard every day this offseason, getting up at
5:30 a.m. and getting done at 12,” Drew said. He also
said that he’s had “three legitimate days off” since the
injury.

As far as when he’ll return to the lineup, that remains up
in the air. Doctors will say
that it will take a full year to recover from the type of
injury he suffered, which would keep him out until after
the All-Star break. He seemed reticent to accept that
timetable.

“Hopefully, I’ll beat the odds,” he said.

The Diamondbacks are in decent shape at the position, with
veterans Willie Bloomquist and John McDonald ready to fill
the gap as long as Drew is unable to go. Arizona went 42-
22 after Drew’s injury on their way to the National League
West title.

“He picked us up big time,” Drew said about Bloomquist.
“And Johnny Mac came over, those guys did well. They
really filled the shoes how we needed, and that’s why we
got to where we were at.”

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