Bonds' future in doubt  —  SAN FRANCISCO — If the Giants want Barry Bonds to return for another go-round in 2007, they'll sign him to a contract extension and he'll take aim at Hank Aaron's 755 career homers in a San Francisco uniform.  —  If Bonds isn't physically up to playing another season, this is a farewell tour.

Beckett provides stabilizing force for Red Sox  —  I've gotten to know Josh Beckett the last few years.  He's a little different in that he's not going to get caught up in all the hype — good or bad — that's said about him.  —  Getting Beckett was a huge move by the Red Sox …

Brewers-Padres Preview  —  Once again, the San Diego Padres are finding May to their liking.  —  The Padres (17-15) look to win their 10th straight game on Tuesday in the opener of a three-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers (16-16) at Petco Park.  —  San Diego is on its longest winning streak since …

Kendall: MLB 'has turned into a badminton league'  —  TORONTO — Oakland Athletics catcher Jason Kendall ripped Major League Baseball after dropping his appeal of his four-game suspension on Tuesday.  —  Kendall was suspended and fined for charging Los Angeles Angels pitcher John Lackey in a game on May 2.

Young suspended 50 games for bat toss  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Top Tampa Bay prospect Delmon Young was suspended 50 games without pay by the International League on Tuesday, two weeks after throwing a bat that hit a replacement umpire in the arm.  —  Randy Mobley, President …

Contreras to DL —but don't panic  —  Sox ace's back better, but he'll sit until at least May 20 vs. Cubs  —  The twinkle in White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen's eye spoke volumes Tuesday about his optimistic nature after it was announced pitcher Jose Contreras had been placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 5.

No-win situation for Nationals' Tavares  —  Tony Tavares received a call from Major League Baseball around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday.  The president of the Washington Nationals was told commissioner Bud Selig had decided to sell the Nationals to the Lerner family and that there would be a press conference …

Nied to Know  —  I'm thinking at some point the Cards might need to win a game against a 1st place team in 2006.  Maybe I'm wrong, but probably not.  By the unofficial count of Manny, my homeless homey on Walnut Street, Los Birdo's have gone fer the last 5 and "looked flatter than that can of Vess …

Cards notebook: Bigbie is back  —  Bigbie is back  —  Six weeks later than planned, left fielder Larry Bigbie is finally ready to make his regular-season Cardinals debut.  —  Bigbie, who has been out since the latter part of spring training because of a stress fracture in his left heel, was activated on Monday.

AP Exclusive: Baseball's union could scrap new drug policy if no labor deal by August  —  AP Exclusive: Baseball's union could scrap new drug policy if no labor deal by August  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Major league players can scrap the sport's toughened drug rules if they don't have a new labor contract …

Hungry Tigers regaining bite  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Detroit Tigers designated hitter Dmitri Young looks around the clubhouse, sees just a smattering of reporters and grimaces.  —  "Where's everyone now?"  Young says.  "Everyone was around when we were getting our a—  kicked every night.

Notes: Rheinecker to join rotation  —  Rangers will wait for Clemens; Benoit earns fifth hold  —  ARLINGTON — Left-hander John Rheinecker is expected to go back into the Rangers rotation the next time they need a fifth starter.  —  The Rangers, having sent right-hander Robinson Tejeda …

Wagner bracing for venom of vengeance  —  In Philadelphia, they boo Santa Claus and just spent the weekend savaging Barry Bonds.  Those may have been warm-ups for what Billy Wagner expects to face the next three days - and that's just from his former teammates.

Rockies rock Birds; Marquis falters again  —  Up next: 7:10 tonight vs. Rockies, FSN Midwest  —  His walk to the dugout has become a trudge.  The rhythm of a confident pitcher has slowed to one groping for the feel of his pitches and the certainty to throw them.

White Sox drive Angels batty  —  Six-run third against Gregg keeps Halos in a rut  —  CHICAGO — The White Sox sent 12 men to the plate and scored six runs in the third to hand the Angels a 9-1 loss in front of 36,539 on Tuesday night to open the series.  —  The loss dropped …

Notes: Lohse's spot on the line?  —  Liriano an option for rotation; Hunter back home in Texas  —  ARLINGTON — Kyle Lohse might not be pitching for his spot in the Twins' starting rotation when he takes the mound Wednesday against the Texas Rangers.  Then again, he might be.

Pink bats are part of fund-raiser for cancer foundation  —  LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Hulking Jim Thome.  Rugged Manny Ramirez.  Brawny Adam Dunn.  —  "The thought of these big macho men, swinging pink bats to help women with breast cancer ... what a novel idea," Louisville Slugger president John Hillerich said Tuesday.

The Alternative Factor  —  Watching Barry Bonds and Sal Fasano play on the same field Sunday, I couldn't help but wonder if we've got this Steroid Era thing all wrong.  By now the consensus is that Bonds owes most, if not all, of his stellar achievements on the diamond the past few years …