Bonds Is a No-Show at Dodger Stadium

Barry Bonds had a locker waiting for him at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, in the middle of the visiting clubhouse, squeezed between the stalls reserved for Jeff Fassero and Michael Tucker.

The San Francisco Giants wondered whether Bonds, who is living in his Beverly Hills home while rehabilitating his right knee, might stop by to visit his teammates. Bonds was a no-show. And, in a telephone interview with mlb.com, Bonds said he had no idea whether he would play this season.

“I don’t know right now when I’m going to be back,” he said. “And right now I don’t know if I’m going to be back at all this year.”

Bonds pledged to update fans on his recovery via his website, but he has not posted there since July 1.

First baseman J.T. Snow said he does not believe Bonds will be back this year. Bonds has not played competitively in nine months and has undergone three operations on the knee since then.

“It’s not like you can claim you’re ready to go and get in the lineup the next day,” Snow said.

Ned Colletti, the Giants’ assistant general manager, said Bonds is “improving” but there is no timetable for him to return.

“It’ll take him a few weeks to get back once he starts baseball work,” Colletti said.

In this miserable Giant summer, Snow said, fans and media are confusing the seven-time most valuable player with a season savior.

“Everybody makes it out to be such a big deal; when he comes back, or if he comes back, things are just going to take off and turn around,” Snow said. “Baseball isn’t that way. Barry plays left field and gets four at-bats a game. He doesn’t pitch. He doesn’t catch. He doesn’t play infield. He can’t come out of the bullpen.”

The Giants last had a losing season in 1996, but they are 38-50 and nine games out of first place in the National League West. Bonds turns 41 on July 24, his contract guarantees him $18 million next season, and the Giants might be out of the race before he can grab a bat.

Even if he can return this year, then, might the Giants consider it prudent to protect their investment by telling him to wait until next year?

“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” Colletti said, “if we come to it.”