Cards notes: Drew in camp <br>
02/16/2003 <br>
By Matthew Leach <br>
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JUPITER, Fla. -- J.D. Drew feels good. But that doesn't mean he'll be playing the outfield anytime soon. <br>
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The Cardinals right fielder arrived at Spring Training on Sunday, two days before the scheduled report date for position players. He swung a bat for the first time since last season, and said his surgically repaired right knee is in solid condition. Nonetheless, he'll have to take it easy as camp progresses. <br>
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"I don't know," Drew said when asked if he would play outfield in any Spring Training games. "It kind of revolves all around how that (patellar) tendon reacts. I could come out here and it (could) just flare up, or I could come out here and feel great. I anticipate it being more of the latter, with it feeling really good the whole time.  <br>
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"I'm gonna have my opportunities to see at-bats in games whether it's DHing or whether it's a B-game. I'm gonna get some at-bats. The big thing is playing outfield, being on the basepaths, doing the things where you really use your legs. ... There's a chance I may play some just to see how it reacts, take a couple at-bats. But that'll all come when we talk to the doctors." <br>
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Drew battled patellar tendinitis in his right knee throughout 2002, then finally had it operated on after the season ended. The team has said all along that Drew will be limited in the early going and likely won't be able to play full-time until June. It's unclear whether he will be active at the beginning of the regular season. <br>
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Drew said he does not have a set timetable for his recovery. <br>
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