SAN FRANCISCO -- Barry Bonds has been sidelined so long now, his teammates refused to let themselves count on him returning this season. Still, news that San Francisco's star slugger doesn't expect to play again until 2006 came as a shock to Jason Schmidt on Tuesday.
"I was surprised," said Schmidt, the ace of the Giants' pitching staff. "I heard he'd been working out hard. The division is kind of up for grabs. I thought he would come back and give us a little boost. ... If you're hurt, you're hurt."
The 41-year-old Bonds said Monday that his troublesome right knee would keep him from resuming his quest for the career home-run record until next year. He is recovering from three operations on the knee since Jan. 31.
The seven-time NL MVP has been rehabbing in Los Angeles under the care of physical therapist Clive Brewster and renowned Angels orthopedist Dr. Lewis Yocum.
The Giants -- struggling mightily without him -- aren't ready to agree with Bonds just yet.
The team issued a statement Tuesday from Yocum, saying the doctor was pleased with Bonds' rehabilitation. General manager Brian Sabean didn't plan further comment on the matter.
"I have seen improvement in terms of weight, strength and functional activities," Yocum said. "While some swelling remains in the knee, it is minimal and not unusual for this level of activity. At this point, I cannot give a definitive answer to when or if he will play in 2005."
Neither manager Felipe Alou nor trainer Stan Conte had spoken to Bonds.
"We've got to adhere to what the doctors say," Alou said. "He's getting better but not ready to play. There's not a whole lot that we know. We don't see Barry around. We don't see his knee physically. The last time we saw it was over a month ago. We trust the medical people. It's always been up in the air, ever since spring."
Bonds, who said during spring training he might miss the entire season, told MLB.com that a recent MRI showed some fluid building up in the knee and that doctors advised him to wait until next year to return to the Giants.
"I don't think you're going to see me out there this year," he said. "That's the reality of the situation. ... The last thing I want is to get back on the field and be out again a week later."
Bonds has 703 home runs, third on the career list behind Babe Ruth (714) and Hank Aaron (755). Carlton Fisk's 53 homers are the most any player has hit after turning 41, and that is exactly the number Bonds needs to break Aaron's record.
All season, the Giants have stuck to the approach of going about their business without their best player.
