Bonds trial will be further delayed

Appeal about evidence is key

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

Federal court officials in San Francisco yesterday set a schedule for prosecutors and Bonds's lawyers to submit legal written arguments to the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals debating the admissibility of three positive drug tests, so-called doping calendars, and other evidence allegedly linking Bonds to steroids use.

Jury selection for Bonds's trial was to start yesterday but was delayed last week after federal prosecutors announced they would appeal US District Court Judge Susan Illston's ruling barring them from showing that evidence to a jury.

Bonds has pleaded not guilty to lying to a grand jury in 2003 when he testified he never knowingly used performance-enhancing drugs. The home run king faces 10 counts of making false statements to a grand jury and one count of obstruction of justice.

Alex Rodriguez said he's happy to put behind him a meeting with baseball officials about his use of steroids more than five years ago.

The Yankees slugger reported to the Dominican Republic team in Jupiter, Fla., and took part in its first workout in preparation for the World Baseball Classic.

"It's really good to get yesterday behind me - another one of the big steps," Rodriguez said. "For me, now the focus is the WBC."

The Dominican team worked out at the spring training complex used by the Cardinals and will play its first exhibition game today against Florida.

The team also includes the Red Sox' David Ortiz, and ex-Sox Pedro Martínez, who said the media made too much of the Rodriguez story.

"You guys focus on the bad stuff," he said. "I believe that there are a lot of positive things that you can look at through baseball. You're focusing on the wrong thing. Let go of the other stuff. Come on. Let's play baseball. That's what we're here for."

Martínez, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, said he's not bitter that he has been unable to land a contract as a free agent. He has a career record of 214-99 but is only 17-15 the past three seasons, when he has battled injuries.

"There's no chip on my shoulder," Martínez said. "I understand the ugly face of baseball, which is the business part of baseball. The last few years, I'll be the first to tell you, I haven't been the Pedro Martínez I'm used to being."

Martínez, 37, went 5-6 for the Mets last year with a 5.61 ERA in 20 starts. He has been pitching five innings in simulated games.

San Diego's Heath Bell, who's taking over for departed closer Trevor Hoffman, was added to the US roster for the WBC, as was the Pirates' John Grabow.

They replace Minnesota's Joe Nathan, who bowed out Sunday after experiencing soreness in his pitching shoulder, and B.J. Ryan of the Blue Jays, who decided to stay in camp with Toronto.

The Athletics are close to signing free agent Orlando Cabrera to a $4 million, one-year contract, likely ending former AL Rookie of the Year Bobby Crosby's tenure as the team's starting shortstop. The deal is contingent on the 34-year-old Cabrera's passing a physical . . . Tigers manager Jim Leyland said starting pitcher Jeremy Bonderman was sent from Lakeland, Fla., to Detroit for tests on his stiff shoulder. Leyland said it was precautionary and that Bonderman was expected back in camp by last night . . . The Yankees' Chien-Ming Wang made his first appearance since partially tearing a tendon in his foot running the bases in June, pitching two scoreless innings in a 5-5 tie with the Astros in Kissimmee, Fla. . . . Tom Sturdivant, who pitched the Yankees to victory in Game 4 of the 1956 World Series on the day before Don Larsen's famed perfect game, and who also pitched for the Red Sox, died in Oklahoma City. He was 78.