Notebook: Selig sidesteps Bonds issue

Bud Selig was willing to discuss just about everything – other than Barry Bonds and steroids.

The baseball commissioner sidestepped questions Thursday in New York about whether he’ll attend games as Bonds nears Hank Aaron’s home run record of 755.

“Is he really approaching?” Selig, a longtime friend of Aaron, said facetiously after owners finished their two-day meeting. “I don’t have anything different to say today. I’ll make a decision at some appropriate time.”

Among topics discussed:

“Owners approved baseball’s new seven-year “Extra Innings” out-of-market television contracts with DirecTV and iN Demand, deals that guarantee the clubs an average of $80 million annually. Owners also approved the launch of the MLB Network, which Selig said will be available to at least 47 million homes when it starts broadcasting on Jan. 1, 2009.

“Selig said the new postseason schedule did not come up during the meetings. Last week, baseball announced that the World Series will start Oct. 24 and Game 7 will be Nov. 1, an effort that eliminates Friday night games and cuts Saturday night games from two to one. Those are the lowest-rated television nights of the week.

“Selig said baseball was not considering an expansion of the first round from best-of-5 to best-of-7.

Farnsworth speaks out

New York Yankees reliever Kyle Farnsworth was on Chicago’s 670-AM The Score when he first criticized the so-called “family plan” clause in Roger Clemens’ one-year, $28 million contract that allows the right-hander to leave the team for personal matters when he’s not pitching.

“As far as a teammate and a player, I think everybody should be here whether they’re pitching or not,” he said. “You don’t see guys who are hurt not sit on the bench. They’re always there.”

Clemens spent almost four hours working out at the New York Yankees’ minor league complex. He is scheduled to throw 45 to 60 pitches for Class A Tampa tonight.

Clearing the bases

The baseball players’ association filed grievances over the suspensions of Seattle Mariners pitcher Julio Mateo and Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Alberto Callaspo. … Josh Beckett is headed for the disabled list because of a finger injury and is expected to miss two starts for Boston.