Barry Bonds arrives at Giants' camp

Barry Bonds arrives at Giants' camp

By JOSH DUBOW
AP SPORTS WRITER

San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds steps out of a vehicle as he reports to his Major League baseball spring training camp Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2006, in Scottsdale, Ariz. His agent told the team last week that because of personal issues, the star would come a day or two later than his teammates, who showed up Monday. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Barry Bonds showed up at the San Francisco Giants' camp Wednesday, one day after the slugger's teammates held their first full-team workout.

Bonds' agent told the team last week that because of personal issues the star would come a day or two later than his teammates, who showed up Monday. The mandatory reporting date for players is next Tuesday.

After having three knee operations and playing only 14 games last year, the Giants are eager to learn what they can expect from Bonds this season. He showed signs of his old self in his brief September return, hitting five homers in 42 at-bats to help the Giants make a late run at the San Diego Padres in the NL West that ultimately fell short.

Bonds, 41, has already caused a stir this spring with contradicting interviews he gave in the past week. He told USA Today that his knee bothered him so much he would probably retire after the season, with or without the home run record, then told MLB.com that his knee brace felt good enough for him to possibly play 10 more seasons.

Bonds is in the final season of his $90 million, five-year contract and will be eligible for free agency after the World Series, meaning his time with the Giants could be up even if he doesn't retire.

He is seven homers shy of passing Babe Ruth for second place and 48 away from breaking Aaron's record. Since Bonds has hit that many only twice in his 20-year career - including his record 73 in 2001 - it seems unlikely he'll break the mark this season.