Rays/MLB

NL notebook

By TIMES WIRES
Published April 27, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO - Barry Bonds soon should be toasty warm again in the Giants dugout.

The Giants said Wednesday they are looking into ways to upgrade the heating system in their dugout after state law mandated the club remove two kerosene heaters following the 2005 season because of health and safety concerns.

Bonds, 41, brought the issue to the attention of Giants officials earlier this season, then took his complaint public after Tuesday night's 4-1 loss to the Mets.

"By law, it was legislated out," team spokesman Jim Moorehead said. "We've always had the overhead heating, the panels. This offseason, we added heating underneath the seats. We're also looking into other means of heating for the area."

Baseball refuted a report that commissioner Bud Selig had selected an owner for the Nationals and planned to make the announcement this week. Baseball is in the final stages of selling the franchise for $450-million to one of eight bidders.

Former outfielder Brett Butler, manager of Class-A Lancaster in the Diamondbacks chain, was hospitalized with chest pains late Monday night, the Antelope Valley Press reported. Jeff Lasky, Lancaster's director of broadcasting and media relations, told the newspaper doctors ruled out a heart attack.

Rookie starter Brian Bannister hobbled home after straining his right hamstring in the sixth inning, then fell and left the game against San Francisco. The right-hander is scheduled to be reevaluated today. ... Outfielder Michael Tucker, an 11-year veteran, signed a minor-league deal.

Right-handed reliever Julio Santana went on the 15-day disabled list with a stomach ailment. Right-hander Clay Condrey was called up from Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre, where he had a 2.19 ERA in eight games.

[Last modified April 27, 2006, 02:58:13]