Bonds’ lawyer wants leak investigation

Barry Bonds’ attorney is asking federal authorities to investigate the possible leak of the baseball star’s medical records in the government’s ongoing investigation of Bonds for perjury and tax evasion.

Citing two people familiar with the probe, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Saturday that the U.S. Attorney’s office had received the medical records last week in response to a subpoena issued to the San Francisco Giants.

Bonds’ lawyer, Michael Rains, said there is nothing in the records indicating Bonds used performance-enhancing drugs. Still, Rains said Monday he would file a complaint with a federal judge in San Francisco protesting what he alleged was a government leak of his client’s medical records.

“Basically, we’re sending a letter to the U.S. Attorney and court seeking an investigation into the leak of the medical records,” said Maggie Bedig, a Rains spokeswoman.

The government’s steroid probe has been riddled with leaks, and investigators already are seeking the testimony of two Chronicle reporters to find out who leaked them the secret testimony of Bonds, Jason Giambi and other athletes who testified before a grand jury in 2003.

A spokesman for U.S. Attorney Kevin Ryan denied his office was the source of any leak.

Nationals purchase finalized

A group led by local real estate developer Ted Lerner and Stan Kasten officially took control of the Washington Nationals, finalizing the $450 million purchase of the club from Major League Baseball.

Lerner is the managing principal owner, and his son Mark and sons-in-law Edward Cohen and Robert Tanenbaum are principal owners. Kasten, a former executive with the Atlanta Braves and the NHL’s Thrashers and NBA’s Hawks, is the team president.

“It has long been my dream to bring the national pastime back to my hometown, the nation’s capital,” Ted Lerner said. “Now that it’s been realized, I plan on doing everything I can to make sure that this franchise becomes an international jewel for MLB, D.C. and the nation.”

Less than half an hour after announcing that the team’s sale was finalized, the Nationals said they hired the Arizona Diamondbacks vice president of scouting operations, Mike Rizzo, as an assistant general manager and vice president of baseball operations.

Showalter misses second game

Buck Showalter missed his second consecutive game Monday night, a precaution advised by a team doctor after the Texas Rangers’ manager sat out a game in Chicago and spent a night in the hospital for dehydration.

Showalter returned to Texas before Monday’s series opener against the New York Yankees after being released from a Chicago hospital. He told reporters about two hours before the game that he planned to be on the bench.

But only minutes before the game started, the team announced that Showalter had met with Dr. David Hunter and been advised to get some more rest.

It was only the third game he missed in 11 seasons as a manager with Arizona, the Yankees and the Rangers.

Clearing the bases

The Chicago Cubs put first baseman Derek Lee on the 15-day disabled list because of continued problems with his right wrist. … New York Yankees left fielder Hideki Matsui is making progress in his comeback from a broken left wrist but still isn’t ready to take batting practice. … The Chicago White Sox acquired right-handed reliever Mike MacDougal from the Kansas City Royals for minor league pitchers Tyler Lumsden and Daniel Cortes. … Washington Nationals outfielder Jose Guillen will have season-ending surgery today for a completely torn ligament in his right elbow. … Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks left the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates after the second inning with a right wrist irritation.