Bonds trial set for March

Slugger Barry Bonds will stand trial on federal perjury charges in March.

Bonds’ legal team, federal prosecutors and U.S. District Court Judge Susan Illston agreed during a brief hearing to begin the trial on March 21. They also hashed out a schedule to file legal documents and to hold pretrial hearings to shape what the jury will see and hear during the three-week trial.

Rays manager Joe Maddon says baseball should give “strong consideration” to changing ground rules at Tropicana Field if Tampa Bay reaches the playoffs.

The Rays fell out of a first-place tie in the A.L. East on Thursday by losing 8-6 to Minnesota, a game decided when Jason Kubel’s two-out pop-up clanked off a catwalk and fell behind the pitcher’s mound for a go-ahead single in the ninth inning.

“Just say it was the seventh game of the ALCS and the game was impacted by that,” Maddon said. “Both sides would be yelling bloody murder.”

Andy Pettitte threw gingerly for the first half of a bullpen session, then ramped up his effort and said he will need more tests of his groin and stamina before returning to games.

The New York Yankees left-hander was pleased with his progress in recovering from an injury that has sidelined him since July 18. Pettitte hopes to retest the groin Sunday.

The A.L. West-leading Texas Rangers have told manager Ron Washington that they want him back after this season.

Washington is in his fourth season, the last on his current contract.

Cubs pitcher Carlos Silva is scheduled to have his heart examined on Monday and might have a procedure to correct a problem with his heartbeat. … The Tampa Bay Rays placed first baseman Carlos Pena on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Sunday, and recalled right-hander Dale Thayer from Triple-A Durham. … The Red Sox put left-handed reliever Hideki Okajima on the disabled list with a strained right hamstring. … The Pittsburgh Pirates optioned left-handed reliever Justin Thomas to Triple-A Indianapolis, clearing roster space for Chan Ho Park to join the team. … The Minnesota Twins have signed their No. 1 pick, right-hander Alex Wimmers.