Upbeat Bonds feels ready to cut down medication

By wire services
Published May 27, 2005

SAN FRANCISCO - Barry Bonds hopes he's close to decreasing his daily dose of antibiotics to a single pill.

The Giants slugger is scheduled for a routine blood test today to make sure he is progressing from the antibiotics he's taking to control the infection in his surgically repaired right knee.

"My leg is good. It's getting better," Bonds said Thursday, giving a thumbs-up sign and a grin. "I will have my blood tested (today). It's the test I have every two weeks."

Bonds is still taking a number of pills each day - "I can't even count," he said - to attack the infection in his troublesome knee after having three operations since Jan. 31.

His optimism is especially noteworthy considering how serious the infection could have been. On his Web site, www.barrybonds.com Bonds described how he felt in the initial stages after beginning the antibiotics.

"I thought I was going to die," he wrote in a posting Tuesday. "The medication was so strong, it made me sick and I literally just slept for days. The doctors had told me that if my bone got infected, there was a possibility that I could lose my leg. I wanted everyone to understand how serious my situation was and all I wanted to do is focus on my health, not when I was coming back on the field."

Bonds wouldn't confirm an ESPN.com report that he was among several Giants players given an unannounced drug test by the league Wednesday.

"It doesn't matter unless it's positive, and you'll know (if it is)," he said with a smile.

SCHILLING INJURY: Curt Schilling's return from an injury to his surgically repaired right ankle could take up to 12 weeks. Red Sox manager Terry Francona said he doesn't know when his ace will return from the disabled list but acknowledged he heard a month ago it could be anywhere from two weeks to three months. The Red Sox, meanwhile, purchased the contract of 16-year veteran first baseman John Olerud from Triple-A Pawtucket.

O'S EMERGING ACE SIDELINED: Orioles left-hander Erik Bedard went on the 15-day disabled list with a strained ligament in his left knee and will miss two or three starts. Bedard (5-1, 2.08 ERA) has won five straight since April 18. Right-hander Hayden Penn, one of Baltimore's top prospects, was called up from Double-A Bowie and is scheduled to start Saturday vs. Detroit.

HEARINGS PLANNED: Players who filed the first two grievances stemming from baseball's toughened policy against performance-enhancing substances have hearings scheduled for June 15-17 before arbitrator Shyam Das. Twins reliever Juan Rincon and Rangers minor-league pitcher Agustin Montero asked the players' association to file grievances after they each were suspended for 10 days for testing positive.

GIAMBI ATTACKER CHARGED: A man who threw a cup of beer on Yankees first baseman/DH Jason Giambi has been charged with misdemeanor battery, according to the Alameda County (Calif.) District Attorney's Office. Eric Anduri, 30, son of Lafayette Mayor Carl Anduri, is set for arraignment June 14.

A'S: Shortstop Bobby Crosby (ribs) is scheduled to resume his rehabilitation with Triple-A Sacramento today after leaving Class A Stockton this week to be with his ailing father.

BLUE JAYS: Right-hander Roy Halladay is scheduled to start Sunday after being pushed back a few days because of strained left side muscle. ... Third baseman Corey Koskie said he'll miss up to two months after surgery to repair a broken right thumb and ligament damage.

INDIANS: Right-hander Kevin Millwood went on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right groin.

RANGERS: Infielder Greg Colbrunn had a bone chip removed from his left hip and a herniated disc in his back repaired. Colbrunn isn't expected to play until at least August.

REDS: Infielder D'Angelo Jimenez accepted an assignment to Double-A Chattanooga.

ROCKIES: Infielder Aaron Miles went on the 15-day disabled list with a muscle strain.

[Last modified May 27, 2005, 00:40:18]