In the Arizona Diamondbacks Home Opener, Stephen Drew will be making his season debut. The short stop who manager Kirk Gibson considers near the top of the league at his position missed the first five games of the season due to an abdominal strain suffered in Spring Training.
"He's in the line up today, we got the go ahead. We're happy to have him in obviously. He's one of our big players and he's got experience and he's very good at short stop and makes us much better," Gibson said.
Drew isn't limited at all and is expected to play at full speed including getting balls in the hole and throwing across his body which is how he was injured originally.
Drew will bat fifth in the order, while his replacement at short moves into left field and keeps his spot leading off. Willie Bloomquist has hit the ball for the D-backs and gives the team a veteran presence that Gibson likes.
Here's the full lineup for the D-backs for their 2011 Home Opener:
RHP Ian Kennedy (0-0, 4.50) vs. LHP Travis Wood (1-0, 1.29) -- Lineup: Bloomquist LF, Johnson 2B, Upton RF, Young CF, Drew SS, Nady 1B, Montero C, Mora 3B, Kennedy RHP
Video from Gibson's pregame media press conference.