Bonds may rest left elbow before season opener April 3

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Barry Bonds might not take another Cactus League swing in Arizona, choosing instead to rest his tender left elbow and surgically repaired right knee before the season starts.
Bonds was examined by two doctors Sunday for evaluation of his inflamed elbow, and the San Francisco Giants were hopeful the slugger would resume on-field baseball activities Monday.
"The doctors were very happy with what they saw in the examination," team spokesman Blake Rhodes said.
The Giants break spring training Wednesday, though Bonds has said he plans to return to the Bay Area a day ahead of the team and work out Wednesday at the stadium in San Francisco. The Giants play host to the Angels Thursday and Bonds is still projected to play in that game as well as Saturday's exhibition in Oakland. San Francisco opens the season April 3 at San Diego.
"Thursday and Saturday, that's what we're looking at," manager Felipe Alou said after the Giants' 6-5 loss to the San Diego Padres in Peoria. "I wasn't really concerned yesterday. It's nice to know for sure it's nothing serious."
Alou certainly would like to see Bonds in left field again before the opener, though Bonds potentially could be the designated hitter in both those games if the Angels agree to let him do it in the Giants' ball park.
Bonds, scratched from the lineup Saturday with what was then called a strained elbow, seemed upbeat during a brief stop at Scottsdale Stadium for treatment before heading out. He was examined by Giants team doctor Ken Akizuki and Angels orthopedist Lewis Yocum.
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