Washington returns to A’s

NOTES

Ron Washington’s two homes in New Orleans are underwater, destroyed by flooding from Hurricane Katrina. But that’s not enough to make Washington abandon his hometown.

The Oakland Athletics’ third-base coach rejoined the team for a weekend series against the Texas Rangers. He spent the three previous days in a shelter and in temporary housing in Alabama with his wife, Gerry, and 26 other family members who evacuated New Orleans a day before the hurricane struck the Gulf Coast.

“I’m glad to be back,” Washington said. “Baseball’s always been my life. But it was a humbling experience. I wouldn’t wish staying in a shelter on anyone.”

Washington vows that when the A’s end their season, he will be involved in efforts to rebuild New Orleans, and he disagrees with those who say that parts of the city should be razed and relocated to higher ground.

Bonds may return today

Barry Bonds could return to the San Francisco Giants’ lineup as soon as today, although the star slugger suspects his doctors will ask him to wait at least one more day for his first appearance of the season.

Bonds went through his fifth straight day of on-field workouts, taking early batting practice and running in the outfield before the Giants’ game against the Chicago Cubs.

He is scheduled to meet this morning with doctors to determine his playing future and could be activated today.

Royals extend Stairs

The Kansas City Royals have signed veteran Matt Stairs to a one-year contract extension, general manager Allard Baird announced.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

In his third year with the Royals, the 37-year-old Stairs is hitting .272 with 12 home runs, 23 doubles and 54 RBIs. He hit his 200th home run June 2.