The Injury Insider gives you analysis and updates on troublesome ailments and rehabilitation programs. Check in every Wednesday for the scoop on recovering players.

Whether you are a pitcher or a position player, a knee injury can be a debilitating ailment. It's obvious players can't play through torn ligaments, but nagging injuries can be just as much a problem. The slightest sprain or soreness in the joint can cause a player to compensate for an injury and alter his production.

This week puts the spotlight on three notable Fantasy players who are attempting to come back from various knee injuries.

J.D. Drew, OF, St. Louis

This talented right fielder is using spring training to gauge the amount of pressure he can put on his surgically repaired right knee.

Tendinitis in the patella tendon knee resulted in lingering soreness. Drew played through the condition for most of two years and the majority of 2002, and while he was able to remain productive in 2001, the injury finally really became a burden last season. Limited to a part-time role for most of the second half, he hit just .252 with 18 home runs and 56 RBI. Drew underwent arthroscopic surgery in October to repair the knee and believes the operation was a success.

"It feels good," Drew told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "Soreness is going to be a natural response for a while. I have to keep away from tearing it down and building up any scar tissue."

Former Cardinals slugger Mark McGwire suffered from the same injury, but he wasn't as fortunate. Although McGwire was older when he suffered the injury, the ailment ultimately led to his retirement. Drew believes the development of scar tissue in McGwire's knee during recovery is what sets the two injuries apart. Developing scar tissue might lead to more surgery.

"They've (medical staff) had experience with McGwire, too," Drew told the Post-Dispatch. "If you push yourself too early, you set yourself back because you might feel great, but if you build scar tissue you're back at square one. Everybody's on the same page. We feel good about it."

For now Drew will be limited mostly to light hitting, jogging and lateral movements. The Cardinals might wait another week or so before evaluating him and deciding whether he runs sprints and does work in the outfield. Because he is still unable to play the field, his at-bats during spring training will likely be limited to games where he can be used as a designated hitter. But the Cardinals only have two of those, so Drew will likely get most of his at-bats with the second team.

Drew is not expected to be fully recovered until May and might not be able to play the field until June. His current recovery makes him a major injury risk. Fantasy leaguers should try not to bid more than $7 for him and should hold off on selecting him until the late rounds of a draft. While Drew recovers, the Cardinals will try out Eli Marrero , Eduardo Perez, So Taguchi, Kerry Robinson, Orlando Palmeiro and Jon Nunnally in right field. Marrero has the most potential out of this group and is worth a $3-5 $bid.

Ken Griffey Jr., OF, Cincinnati

Griffey was sidelined for seven weeks last season because of a partially torn right patella tendon. While Griffey returned from the injury in late May, he never seemed to be at full strength the rest of the season and suffered from hamstring and hip injuries. Griffey was limited to a career-low 70 games last season and only hit .264 with eight homers and 23 RBI. In an effort to prevent leg injuries this season, Griffey dedicated a large portion of his offseason regimen to working on his legs.

"He really worked the legs hard," Griffey's trainer Dan Oliver told the Cincinnati Enquirer. "He did a real good job. He was very open to everything we did. Some of it was new for him."

Griffey reported to spring training Tuesday but wouldn't reveal much about his health or conditioning. While it has been almost a year since he returned from his knee injury, the ailment remains a source of concern. The patella tendon is the largest in the knee and has been a source of pain for athletes all over, most notably NBA superstar Vince Carter. Griffey seemed to compensate for the injury when he returned last season, which might have resulted in his subsequent hip and hamstring injuries. The injury would be a major problem once again if it resurfaces. It's his right leg, the one he uses to derive power in his swing. If soreness or pain were to develop, it would probably sap his power and mobility. An inability to move would also prevent Griffey from playing the field and probably reduce him to pinch-hitting, a role he played for parts of last season.

There have been no negative reports about Griffey's health so far. In fact, Reds medical director Dr. Tim Kremchek monitored Griffey's offseason program and believes the outfielder will be just fine.

"From what I hear, he feels great and has no pain," Kremchek told the Cincinnati Post. "He has been pretty regimented about his workouts. I think he's really taking it pretty seriously this offseason. He has done some stuff in the past, but this year, he has really stepped it up."

Griffey is expected to be at full strength and participate in workouts. But Fantasy leaguers should still proceed with caution when pursuing him. He is still capable of batting .300 with at least 40 homers and 100 RBI if healthy. Unfortunately Griffey hasn't played more than 120 games since the 2000 season. Try not to spend more than $10 for his services and hold off on selecting him until the middle of a Fantasy draft.

Eric Milton, P, Minnesota

Milton underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee last Aug. 8. He missed the rest of the regular season after the injury but returned to pitch in the playoffs. He went 1-0 in two starts with a 2.08 ERA and seemed to be fully recovered. But the Twins are concerned with Milton's knee once again after he experienced swelling in the joint shortly after reporting to spring training. The Twins say it is possible that Milton might need further surgery if he continues to have trouble with the knee, but the left-hander believes the injury is no problem at all. "I can definitely pitch through it," he told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "These guys are making more out of it than I want to be made out of it. I'm just going to go out and do my job. These guys are obviously concerned about the swelling, but that's the last thing on my mind."

For now Milton will have his running limited but not his throwing. This situation warrants monitoring since Milton is a power pitcher and uses his left leg to push off the mound. His velocity and control might be affected if he continues to have problems with the knee, making him very ineffective. Johan Santana will be waiting in the wings to replace Milton in the rotation should the injury worsen. Consider picking up Santana in the later rounds of a draft or auction. Temper your expectations for Milton when building your team and try not to bid more than $8 for his services.