Bonds may rest until season begins
Barry Bonds might not take another Cactus League swing, choosing instead to rest his tender left elbow and surgically repaired right knee before the season starts.
Bonds had appointments scheduled with two doctors Sunday for evaluation on his inflamed elbow, and the San Francisco Giants were hopeful the slugger would resume on-field baseball activities today.
The Giants break spring camp in Arizona on Wednesday, though Bonds has said he plans to return to the Bay Area a day ahead of the team and work out Wednesday at AT&T Park in San Francisco. The Giants host the Angels on Thursday and Bonds had been projected to play in that game, as well as Saturday’s exhibition in Oakland, before San Francisco opens the season April 3 at San Diego.
“If this were a regular-season game, he could probably play,” Giants trainer Stan Conte said. “We’re trying to be ultraconservative. He shouldn’t have any restrictions, but we’ll see how he comes through.”
The seven-time N.L. MVP underwent an MRI exam Saturday that revealed inflammation in the back of his elbow. By Sunday, Bonds had full range of motion in the joint, the swelling was gone and he was not in pain, Conte said.
Bonds’ teammates aren’t worried about him being ready.
“He’s the kind of guy who can come back after a two- or three-month period and do what he’s used to doing,” said Giants shortstop Omar Vizquel, who won his 10th Gold Glove award last season at age 38.
Minors deny umps’ claims
Two days after minor league umpires said they intend to strike, management’s lawyer denied that unfair labor practices have been committed.
The Association of Minor League Umpires issued a statement Friday saying its members plan to strike at the start of the season next month and said unfair labor practice charges had been filed with the National Labor Relations Board.
George Yund, the lawyer for the Professional Baseball Umpire Corporation, said Sunday in an e-mail that the organization “denies that it committed any unfair labor practice.”
The union, which has about 220 members, claims it was told by management in February that talks had reached impasse and that the PBUC would implement its last offer when the season started.
Clearing the bases
Yankees catcher Jorge Posada worked out Sunday for the first time since breaking his nose and is hopeful of being ready for opening day. Posada was hit in the face by a ball while playing catch with backup Kelly Stinnett before Wednesday night’s game against Boston. … The Athletics acquired left-hander Brad Halsey from the Diamondbacks in exchange for right-hander Juan Cruz. Halsey was 8-12 with a 4.61 ERA last year for Arizona. He made 28 appearances, including 26 starts. Cruz pitched in 28 games with the A’s last year, all in relief.