Baseball: Bonds' third surgery delays return

RALEIGH, North Carolina - San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds has undergone a third surgery on his right knee, further delaying his return.

Bonds confirmed on his website that he had arthroscopic surgery on his knee Monday for a bacterial infection.

His return to baseball could be delayed for at least two months, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

The newspaper said Bonds was expected to take antibiotics for at least the next two weeks, and he would not restart rehabilitation work until he is assured the infection is gone.

The Giants would not comment on Bonds' condition.

Bonds said the infection was discovered when he had fluid drained from the knee Friday and doctors told him he needed immediate surgery.

"The surgery went well," Bonds said. "The doctor cleaned out the infected area and they are now treating me with antibiotics."

The 40-year-old Bonds originally had knee surgery on January 31 to remove damaged cartilage. A second surgery was performed on March 17 to remove more cartilage.

Bonds was expected to move closer to Hank Aaron's all-time home run record of 755 this season. He has 703 home runs, 11 fewer than second place Babe Ruth.

- REUTERS