Rays show ‘minor’ interest in Bonds

Barry Bonds is looking for a job, and the Tampa Bay Rays may be interested in the home run king.

Rays manager Joe Maddon said he knew “little” about what was going on, but acknowledged some thought has been given to adding Bonds to the roster.

“A minor discussion was thrown out there a little bit, and it’s really not gone any further than that,” Maddon said after Monday’s workout at the team’s spring training facility in St. Petersburg, Fla. “That’s all it is right now.”

The St. Petersburg Times reported in Monday’s editions that team officials have conferred among themselves about Bonds and other veteran unsigned free agents, such as Kenny Lofton and Mike Piazza. Andrew Friedman, Rays vice president of baseball operations, called the report a “non-story.”

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said he had interest in signing Bonds the last two off-seasons, but each time the team’s front office decided against it.

La Russa, who was looking for a power bat to protect No. 3 hitter Albert Pujols each year, said he was told the asking price for the slugger was too high. This winter, La Russa said he dropped the issue after a talk with new general manager John Mozeliak.

Boston picks up Colon

Bartolo Colon is off the market after the Boston Red Sox snapped up the former A.L. Cy Young Award winner with a shrewd minor league deal.

The 34-year-old Colon, who last pitched on Feb. 6 in the Caribbean World Series, is expected to arrive in camp today.

Lidge to miss some time

Phillies closer Brad Lidge is expected to miss three to six weeks after having surgery on his right knee.

The 31-year-old right-hander, Philadelphia’s biggest off-season acquisition, caught a spike in the mound on his first pitch of batting practice Saturday. Doctors removed torn cartilage from the same knee in October.

DeRosa visits cardiologist

Cubs second baseman Mark DeRosa traveled to Chicago to see a cardiologist after being hospitalized for a rapid heartbeat during fielding drills during the weekend.

The Cubs said DeRosa’s irregular heartbeat was not life-threatening. DeRosa said he hoped he could be back on the field next week.

Clemens to work in minors

Roger Clemens’ oldest son, Koby, said his father will work with minor leaguers at Houston Astros spring training, but didn’t say when he would arrive.

The Rocket has a personal services contract with the Astros, similar to those offered to Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio, that kicks in when he officially retires. The Astros have said Clemens is still welcome despite the steroid controversy surrounding him.

“A draft letter asking the Justice Department to investigate whether Roger Clemens made false statements to Congress has been written by House staffers, the New York Times reported on its Web site, citing three unidentified lawyers familiar with the matter.

Union, owners talking

While lawyers for players and owners plan to resume discussions on the Mitchell Report’s recommendations for improving the sport’s drug testing, the No. 3 official of the players’ association said the “current program is working fine.”

Union general counsel Michael Weiner and former players Bobby Bonilla and Stan Javier were among a group that met for about 75 minutes with the Houston Astros to discuss the ramifications of the report and other issues.

Players and owners have had a series of meetings on the Mitchell Report, which includes recommendations for increased frequency in testing and more independence for the program administrator, who is jointly selected by the sides and was added in 2006.

Currently, each player is tested within five days of arriving at spring training and is tested one additional time each year. There also are 600 random tests, of which up to 60 may be conducted during the off-season.