Illness Leaves Drew Lighter and Weak

J.D. Drew sat slumped in a chair in front of his locker, trying to shake the effects of a viral illness that caused him to lose 11 pounds in the last two weeks.

“I’ve been trying to pound the food,” the new Dodger outfielder said. “I’m weak. My body is still trying to catch up on rest.”

He also caught up on some reading, including news clips that quoted teammate Milton Bradley saying he wants to play center field. Drew also has said he wants to play center, but Wednesday he downplayed the competition.

“I want to give center a shot because that’s were I started my career, and because it might be easier on my knee,” he said. “But if Milton really wants to play center field, I don’t have a problem in a minute playing right field. I’m as easy come, easy go as possible.”

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Right-hander Brad Penny threw 32 pitches from the rubber at about two-thirds speed, then stepped to the front of the mound and cut loose on five throws at full speed.

He reported no discomfort from the biceps nerve that shut him down last season and plans to throw again Friday.

Penny said that getting over the fear of a recurrence is a bigger hurdle than getting his arm in shape.

“The last thing I want to have happen is for the thing to flare up,” he said. “There’s nothing I can do if it happens again. I’m just putting myself through a conditioning program where the chances of it happening are minimal.”

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Individual game tickets will go on sale March 4 at noon at Dodger Stadium.

Numbered wristbands will be handed out at 10:30 a.m. and a lottery will take place at 11:30 a.m. to determine the start of the line. There is a purchase limit of four tickets for opening day.

Tickets also can be purchased by visiting www.dodgers.com, by calling 1-866-DODGERS or by visiting any Ticketmaster outlet.

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Left-handed reliever Mike Venafro did not practice because of a strained hamstring.... All the pitchers ran 1 1/2 miles in under 12 minutes.... The first full-squad workout will take place today. Every player has arrived except Japanese third baseman Norihiro Nakamura, who is having visa problems. Manager Jim Tracy said it is important that Nakamura gets to camp in time to make an impression. “He’s coming in here to try to show us he has the capabilities to make the team,” he said.