Bonds says he’ll play this season

NOTES

Barry Bonds says he “definitely” will play this season, although he doesn’t know when.

He joined his teammates in Los Angeles for batting practice for the third straight day, and he hit a ball into left field and ran to first base.

The 41-year-old slugger has yet to play this season while recovering from three operations on his right knee since Jan. 31.

Griffey expected to return

The Cincinnati Reds expect Ken Griffey Jr. to play again this season after he strained his right foot rounding second base Sunday in a win at Atlanta.

Trainer Mark Mann said it is “premature at this point” to say surgery is necessary, and “we fully expect him to play again in the 2005 season.”

His home run on Sunday was the 536th of his career, tying Mickey Mantle for 12th place on the career list.

Clearing the bases

Mike Hampton returned to the mound for the Atlanta Braves, testing his sore back in a simulated game before his teammates faced the New York Mets. … Sammy Sosa will tend to his ailing right toe at home in Florida, but Baltimore expects him to return before the end of the month. Sosa is 5 for 50 over his last 14 games. … New York Yankees right fielder Gary Sheffield left the game against Tampa Bay with tightness in his left hamstring. … Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia was ejected from the game against Boston. … St. Louis pitching coach Dave Duncan had a four-game suspension for his part in a scuffle with Pittsburgh hitting coach Gerald Perry cut in half. … Tampa Bay bench coach John McLaren asked the commissioner’s office to review his three-game suspension and was allowed to remain in uniform for the game against the Yankees. … Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Cesar Izturis, already on the D.L. because of a sprained lower back, needs Tommy John surgery on his right arm.