Cautious Drew Will Play It Safe

Emotion will give way to reason when it comes to injured J.D. Drew returning to the lineup.

Drew, in the first season of a five-year deal, has been sidelined since July 4 because of a broken right wrist. He said the injury is healing, but he won’t rush back to put a charge in the weak Dodger offense.

“I don’t want to come back too soon and have it be a nagging injury,” he said. “I want to help the team, but I also want it to heal completely.

“In all honesty, I’d like to err on the side of caution because I know I have four more years here. You can’t let emotion dictate the decision.”

Drew expects to be activated no sooner than early September and he might play a few minor league games first. The Dodger triple-A affiliate in Las Vegas ends its season Sept. 5.

He might begin swinging a bat in about a week. Until then he has daily sessions with physical therapist Pat Screener.

“There is still soreness in the rotation part of it,” Drew said. “But I definitely have a lot more range than before.”

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The lineup card was posted in the Dodger clubhouse, third baseman Oscar Robles looked over from his locker and his eyes bulged.

“What the . . . ?” he yelped to no one in particular.

Robles, a contract hitter with limited power, was batting third because Milton Bradley was given the day off.

“Why me?” Robles said.

Manager Jim Tracy had an answer.

“Because he gets on base and [cleanup hitter] Jeff Kent knocks in runs when guys are on base,” he said. “Oscar gives you a good at-bat every time he goes up there.”

Robles singled in the first inning, walked and scored in the seventh and is batting .288.

Tracy plans to rest Kent today.

“I don’t want Milton and Kent out of the lineup on the same day,” he said. “It’s a good day for Milton to rest his legs. He hasn’t had a hit off [New York Met starter Jae Seo], even in the minor leagues.”

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Dodger players had information booklets on the 2006 World Baseball Classic put in their lockers. Many players expressed interest in participating in the eight-nation tournament, and friendly bantering began.

“Korea will be good, better than Mexico,” a grinning Hee-Seop Choi said to Robles.

Robles shook his head and said, “I don’t think so.”

Choi, never one to be confrontational, made sure Robles knew he was kidding.

“You bunt to first base and I’ll make sure it will be a hit,” Choi said.

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Met right fielder Mike Cameron had surgery to repair a broken nose and two fractured cheekbones, injuries he suffered in a collision with center fielder Carlos Beltran three days ago.

Cameron will remain at Scripps Clinic in La Jolla for at least a couple more days to recover from Friday night’s surgery. Beltran, who suffered a concussion and a fracture in a cheekbone that did not require surgery, was at the team hotel Saturday.

Jim Duquette, Met senior vice president of baseball operations, said doctors indicated Cameron might be able to return to play in four to six weeks. The Mets have not decided whether Beltran will go on the disabled list.