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Thomas to play today

By wire services
Published March 18, 2006

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PHOENIX - Oakland's Frank Thomas, still recovering from an ankle injury, is scheduled to hit in a minor-league game today. Thomas will face live pitching for the first time since July, when doctors found a second broken bone in his left ankle.

Thomas, signed after 16 seasons with the White Sox, has been taking batting practice, participating in infield drills and doing some light jogging.

"I'll finally get some real work in," he said Friday. "It will be great to see live pitching for a change."

Thomas will get at least five at-bats, and his baserunning will be limited to jogging to first.

"I'm real pleased with how he's moving around," said A's manager Ken Macha, who hopes to have Thomas in his opening day lineup. "He continues to feel good, and he's not limping."

Bonds runs, feels "good'

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Barry Bonds gave his legs their stiffest in-game test during the Giants' 7-5 loss to the Cubs.

Bonds, who played only 14 games last season after three operations on his right knee, played his fifth game of the spring and third in leftfield. Previously, he had homered three times, advanced one base at a time and fielded one ball in leftfield. Afterward, Bonds said only his legs felt "good."

After singling in the fourth, Mark Sweeney hit a ball into the rightfield corner, and Bonds lumbered all the way home from first.

In the second, Aramis Ramirez hit a high fly to shallow left-center that Bonds barely moved for and dropped for a single. He caught a routine fly later in the inning and caught a fly ball near the foul line.

ASTROS: First baseman Jeff Bagwell said he still isn't sure when he'll be ready to play regularly. He left his previous game after only two innings because of pain in his chronically injured right shoulder. He played four Friday but hasn't had to make a throw in three appearances. Bagwell, who went 0-for-2, plans to play first again today, which would be the first time this spring with consecutive starts in the field.

CUBS: Right-hander Mark Prior is scheduled to meet with doctors today to determine a course of action for his strained right shoulder. Prior, shut down for 7-10 days, likely will miss the start of the season.

GIANTS: Closer Armando Benitez (swollen left knee) could throw off a mound today or Sunday.

MARINERS: Right-hander Kevin Appier left in the fifth when he strained his right calf muscle covering first. His status is unknown.

METS: Second baseman Kaz Matsui is expected to miss opening day after injuring his right knee while sliding Thursday. He will not do baseball activities for three weeks then be re-evaluated. NATIONALS: Luis Ayala, the primary setup man last year, will have reconstructive surgery on his right elbow and is expected to miss the season. Pitching for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic on Thursday, Ayala left after facing one batter, and an MRI exam showed a sprained ligament.

ROCKIES: Right-hander Josh Fogg, who has been limited to one start because of a strained groin, is scheduled to throw a simulated game Sunday. Also, catcher Yorvit Torrealba, who has been bothered by a sore right shoulder, will catch five innings in a minor-league game today. He was the designated hitter in minor-league games Thursday and Friday.

[Last modified March 18, 2006, 02:30:29]

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