Shortstop Stephen Drew could begin his rehab on Sunday according to Arizona Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson. Drew practiced sliding on Saturday for the first time since fracturing his ankle on a slide last July.

Dbacks manager Kirk Gibson said shortstop Stephen Drew could begin a rehab assignment in Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) May 15, 2012

Gibson stopped short of saying Drew is nearing finish line. Don't know how games will play out or how his ankle will react to situations.

— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) May 15, 2012

According to the Arizona Republic, took six hard slides into a mat and three slides on the field before the Diamondbacks' game against the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field on Saturday.

The six-year MLB veteran has a career average of .270 and has been the Diamondbacks starting shortstop since 2007.

Gibson did not say when the Diamondbacks expected Drew to return to the big league club. In fact, the team has not had a timetable on Drew's return all season long. The organization has been patient in Drew's recovery process ever since the beginning of spring training.

Willie Bloomquist has started in the place of Drew since his injury. Bloomquist is struggling at the plate this season, only hitting .212 in 27 games and 99 at-bats as of Monday night.

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