Bonds Has His Knee Drained

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

The San Francisco Giant slugger, who has not been speaking to reporters, said he had the knee drained by Angel 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 record.

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Veteran first baseman John Olerud signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox.

Olerud, who has played more than 15 major league seasons, had been recovering from surgery in November to repair torn ligaments in his left foot. He was hurt during Game 3 of the American League championship series while playing for the New York Yankees against the Red Sox.

Olerud, 36, will report to the Red Sox’s spring training complex in Fort Myers, Fla.

The signing of Olerud was announced in a news release after Boston’s 6-5 win over the Texas Rangers.

A two-time All-Star (1993, 2001), Olerud is a .295 career hitter with 248 home runs and 1,193 runs batted in in 2,147 games. He has played for Toronto (1989-96), the New York Mets (1997-99), Seattle (2000-04) and the Yankees (2004). He has also won three Gold Gloves (2000, 2002, 2003).

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Washington National reliever Joey Eischen broke his right arm leaping off the mound to grab a high chopper and left Sunday night’s game against the New York Mets after only four pitches.

Eischen, the only left-hander on the Nationals’ staff, will have surgery today and is expected to sit out eight to 12 weeks.

He replaced starter John Patterson when Kaz Matsui pinch-hit for the Mets leading off the seventh inning. Matsui hit a 1-and-2 pitch, and Eischen jumped to his right, gloved the ball and landed hard on the grass. He immediately curled up, and third baseman Vinny Castilla ran over, then motioned to the dugout for help.

Eischen, a former Dodger and a West Covina native, is 1-0 with a 4.15 earned-run average and is tied for the team lead with 15 appearances.

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As expected, the Florida Marlins put closer Guillermo Mota on the 15-day disabled list because of inflammation in his pitching elbow.

Mota, a 31-year-old right-hander and former Dodger, underwent tests Saturday that showed he had no structural damage in his elbow. He’ll probably be out three weeks, Marlin Manager Jack McKeon told MLB.com.

“We’re not going to rush this thing,” said McKeon, whose team is 14-9 and tied for first place in the National League East Division with the Atlanta Braves. “There is plenty of time. It’s early.”

Mota is 0-1 with two saves and a 1.86 earned-run average in 10 games this season. He last pitched April 23.

Florida recalled right-handed pitcher Travis Smith from triple-A Albuquerque

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Reliever Carlos Almanzar was put on the 15-day disabled list because of right elbow inflammation by the Texas Rangers, who activated Joaquin Benoit.

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

Benoit had been on the DL all season because of right shoulder tendinitis.