"He didn't even want to take grounders there," Johnson related.

On the other hand, Piazza has not taken grounders at first base since being activated this month.

If a player wanted to take grounders, he was supposed to do so standing on the grass in short left field.

He would arrive early for games and take grounders.

Can Knoblauch be ready if he is not taking grounders?

For more than a week, he has taken grounders at third during team workouts.

When the field is not covered with a tarp, the kid comes out early and takes grounders.

Piazza will not be out early before every night game, Howe said, and would take grounders once or twice a week.

Kent did report some pain bending over to take grounders, however.

He took grounders during batting practice and said, "It felt like my glove was coming off."