Timeline stretches in Barry Bonds’ trial

The perjury trial of Barry Bonds has been delayed at least through July and probably beyond, as an appeal filed by prosecutors winds through the legal system.

Federal court officials on Monday set a schedule for prosecutors and Bonds’ lawyers to submit legal written arguments to the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals debating the admissibility of three positive drug tests, so-called doping calendars and other evidence allegedly linking Bonds to steroid use.

Prosecutors are to file their opening brief on June 1, the defense’s response is due July 1 and prosecutors can submit a rebuttal by July 15. The appeals court could then decide the issue solely on the written materials or put the item on its next available court calendar for oral arguments.

Bonds has pleaded not guilty to lying to a grand jury in 2003 when he testified that he never knowingly used performance-enhancing drugs.

Jury selection began in Helio Castroneves’ trial on allegations of tax evasion.

Prosecutors say Castroneves -- a Brazilian race-car driver who has twice won the Indianapolis 500 -- his business-manager sister Katiucia and Michigan attorney Alan R. Miller conspired to hide about $5.5 million in income from the Internal Revenue Service using offshore accounts.

Castroneves, a “Dancing With the Stars” champion, says he relied on experts to advise him on handling finances. He also says his father controlled a Panamanian entity called Seven Promotions at the heart of the prosecution’s case. Castroneves says the money Seven Promotions received wasn’t his tax liability because the income was for his father, who had financed and promoted his son’s career for more than 10 years. Castroneves, his sister and Miller also deny acting “willfully” to evade taxes and that they took improper deductions. Under federal sentencing guidelines, Castroneves, 33, could get more than six years in prison if convicted of conspiracy and tax evasion from 1999 to 2004.

Trainer Julio Canani, whose 3-year-old colt The Pamplemousse won the Sham Stakes at Santa Anita on Saturday, was arrested Sunday on suspicion of driving under the influence in Sierra Madre, the Daily Racing Form reported.

PRO FOOTBALL

Houshmandzadeh looks to Seattle

T.J. Houshmandzadeh and the Seattle Seahawks reportedly have agreed on a five-year contract. Citing unidentified sources, the Seattle Post Intelligencer, the NFL Network and ESPN.com reported on their websites that the former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver’s deal is for $40 million and includes $15 million in guarantees.

Houshmandzadeh, 31, has caught 204 passes in the last two seasons. Seattle didn’t have a wide receiver catch more than Bobby Engram’s 47 last season.

The San Francisco 49ers sent a private jet for free-agent quarterback Kurt Warner, who traveled from Phoenix to the 49ers’ Silicon Valley training complex. He underwent a physical exam and had a meeting with their top officials.

Warner became a free agent when he didn’t re-sign with the Arizona Cardinals, who have offered him a two-year, $20-million contract. Warner is apparently seeking a deal worth at least $14 million per season.

Jason Taylor, once the NFL defensive player of the year, was cut by the Washington Redskins for refusing to commit to the team’s off-season workout program.

The Redskins wanted to add a workout clause to Taylor’s contract, but the 34-year-old defensive end declined. The clause would have required Taylor to take part in 25 days of off-season workouts.

“He wanted to spend the off-season with his family,” said Taylor’s agent, Gary Wichard. “He just kind of chose family over going up there.”

The Tennessee Titans signed Pittsburgh Steelers free-agent receiver Nate Washington to a six-year deal and added former Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Jovan Haye with a four-year deal.

BASEBALL

U.S. adds Padres’ Bell to roster

San Diego’s Heath Bell, who is taking over for Padres closer Trevor Hoffman, was added to the U.S. roster for the World Baseball Classic.

The Oakland Athletics are close to signing free agent Orlando Cabrera to a $4-million, one-year contract, probably ending Bobby Crosby’s tenure as the team’s starting shortstop. The Associated Press reported that the deal is contingent on the 34-year-old Cabrera’s passing a physical.

Tigers Manager Jim Leyland said starting pitcher Jeremy Bonderman, who was sent back to Detroit because of medical concerns about his pitching shoulder, was fine and will be back on the mound before the team goes north in about five weeks.