Marlins Activate Bonilla

The Florida Marlins activated third baseman Bobby Bonilla off the 15-day disabled list and optioned infielder Josh Booty to triple-A Charlotte.

Bonilla, who was in the Marlins’ starting lineup, had not played since Game 7 of the 1997 World Series after undergoing off-season wrist and Achilles’ tendon surgery.

Bonilla spent spring training rehabilitating and has not faced live pitching since last season.

“It will be like spring training for him,” Marlins manager Jim Leyland said of Bonilla, who batted .297 with 17 homers and 96 RBIs last season.

Booty, considered one of the Marlins’ top prospects, batted .158 with three RBIs in seven games.

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Right-hander Bobby Jones of the New York Mets was scratched from his scheduled start today against the Brewers in Milwaukee with a recurrence of the back problems that troubled him over the second half of last season. Jones felt discomfort in his back on Friday and the Mets decided to let left-hander Brian Bohanon replace him.

Jones, who won 15 gams last season, will start Wednesday or Thursday against the Chicago Cubs in New York if he is healthy.

In two starts this season, Jones is 0-1 with a 2.25 ERA. He has yielded nine hits and walked seven in 12 innings with just four strikeouts. Jones started 1997 by winning 11 of his first 13 decisions en route to his first All-Star game appearance.