News briefs: Bonds has fluid drained from knee again

SAN FRANCISCO -- Barry Bonds had fluid drained from his injured right knee again and said on his website Sunday that he is progressing well in his rehabilitation.

The San Francisco Giants slugger, who has not been speaking to reporters, said he had the knee drained by Angels team orthopedist Lewis Yocum in Los Angeles on Friday.

"We talked about my knee and took a few X-rays," Bonds wrote. "After looking at the X-rays, we decided it would be a good idea to drain the knee. This draining is to make sure there isn't any infection and that I'm healing properly. Overall everything looks positive."

Bonds said earlier that he also had his knee drained on April 20. He underwent a second arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on March 17. No timetable has been set for his return.

Bonds underwent his first surgery on his right knee Jan. 31, but was expected to be available for opening day. After a handful of rigorous workouts, Bonds was sent back to San Francisco for more exams -- resulting in the second operation.

The 40-year-old Bonds has 703 career home runs, 11 behind Babe Ruth and 52 from tying Hank Aaron's career record.

Marlins' stopper Mota lands on disabled list

PHILADELPHIA -- The Florida Marlins placed closer Guillermo Mota on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation in his right elbow and recalled right-handed pitcher Travis Smith from Triple-A Albuquerque.

Mota plans to resume throwing in one week and hopes to return to action in three weeks. Mota, 0-1 with a 1.86 ERA and two saves in 9 2/3 innings, was placed on the disabled list retroactive to May 24.

Smith was optioned to the minors on Saturday when the Marlins called up left-hander Jim Crowell. Smith pitched a scoreless inning Tuesday for Florida.

Manager thinks Dreifort could be done

LOS ANGELES -- Darren Dreifort is out of sight, but not out of manager Jim Tracy's mind.

The Los Angeles Dodgers' injury-jinxed right-hander is back home in Wichita, Kan., where he will be spending his birthday on the disabled list for the second time in four years.

Dreifort, who turns 33 on Tuesday, is recovering from surgery on his left hip in September, and another on his right knee in October. The 12-year veteran's future in the major leagues looks dim, at best.

When asked on Sunday if Dreifort would pitch this season, Tracy said, "My guess would be no. You wonder if Dreif is ever going to pitch again."

Reds activate righty Ortiz

MILWAUKEE -- Pitcher Ramon Ortiz was activated and was the Reds' starting pitcher at Milwaukee. Ortiz was placed on the 15-day disabled list April 17 with a strained right groin.

Cincinnati optioned right-hander Todd Coffey to Triple-A Louisville to make room on the roster.

It was Ortiz's second start of the season. The right-hander, was not involved in the decision in his first game -- a five-inning, one-run outing in Houston on April 8.

Ramon Ortiz (0-1) yielded six runs and seven hits in two innings in a 13-3 loss to Milwaukee.

Texas reliever Almanzar placed on DL

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Reliever Carlos Almanzar was placed on the 15-day disabled list with right elbow inflammation by the Texas Rangers, who activated Joaquin Benoit.

Almanzar had allowed eight runs in five innings of his six appearances since an extended stay on the bereavement list. In his last two appearances, Almanzar allowed home runs to the first batter he faced.

Just before the season began, Almanzar found out that his mother and brother had died in the Dominican Republic. The pitcher went home and didn't rejoin the Rangers until April 15.

Benoit had been on the DL all season with right shoulder tendinitis. After rehabilitation at the team's spring training complex in Surprise, Ariz., the right-hander was 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in three appearances for Triple-A Oklahoma of the Pacific Coast League.