NATIONAL LEAGUE Bonds will return to Giants' lineup tonight

Barry Bonds is coming off the disabled list to play for the first time this year.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- A cheerful Barry Bonds looked upbeat and relaxed Sunday as he prepared to come off the disabled list and play for the first time this year tonight.
Bonds will start in left field and bat cleanup when he makes his long-awaited return to the San Francisco Giants' lineup as they open a three-game series against the NL West-leading San Diego Padres at SBC Park.
Bonds took batting practice and shagged fly balls in the outfield Sunday. He joked around with Nomar Garciaparra of the Cubs and former teammate Jerome Williams, traded to Chicago earlier this season.
He even shook hands with a baby.
"Right now, I'm just trying to keep my mind clear, that's it," Bonds said while gripping his bats in his black recliner in a corner of the clubhouse.
Eyes Aaron's record
Bonds, coming back from three operations on his right knee since Jan. 31, has been eager for months to resume his quest of Hank Aaron's home run record. He received medical clearance to play Saturday from Dr. Lewis Yocum, the Angels' team orthopedist who worked with Bonds for more than two months in Los Angeles until he rejoined his teammates last week at Dodger Stadium.
Bonds has 703 homers, trailing only Babe Ruth (714) and Aaron (755) on the career list.
Manager Felipe Alou is sure Bonds will pick up right where he left off, despite going nearly a year without facing major league pitching.
"I expect a lot with the bat," Alou said. "What I see in BP is the same BP I've seen before. I wonder what's going to happen tomorrow in his at-bat, the reception."
On-field meeting
The 70-year-old Alou, fighting a cold, met briefly with Bonds on the field and they determined he would start in left field and bat in the No. 4 hole. Bonds won't be limited to a certain number of innings, Alou said.
For now, Bonds refuses to think much about anything beyond making a solid comeback this season and staying healthy.
Other players are interested in how Bonds performs, too.
"This is his job," Cubs pitcher Mark Prior said. "I respect the fact he wants to come back for the last two or three weeks of the season. He's worked hard to come back. Anything is possible. If he comes to the plate three or four times a game, he's going to have an impact on the game."