Bonds has hip surgery
Outfielder says he still wants to play
John Shea, Chronicle Staff Writer
Barry Bonds said he still wants to play baseball. But if he gets back on the field, he first must recover from hip surgery.
Seven hundred and sixty-two times Bonds rotated his hips, he hit home runs - a record that's widely considered the most recognized in sports. He had no significant hip issues during his career with the Giants, but The Chronicle learned he underwent a recent procedure that could delay his comeback.
If he does come back.
A source familiar with the operation said it was conducted by Dr. Arthur Ting and that Bonds won't be 100 percent before spring training but that he could be recovered by Opening Day.
Both Ting and Bonds' agent, Jeff Borris, refused to comment. The source said Bonds underwent the surgery, which wasn't considered major, with the intent of playing in 2009.
Bonds hasn't played since Sept. 26, 2007, and hasn't hit a home run since Sept. 6, 2007. Despite the fact he sat out 2008 and is 44 years old, Bonds recently reiterated that he still wants to play, telling the celebrity site TMZ.com, "I'm not retiring. No, not at all. I'm not retiring."
The particulars of Bonds' surgery weren't known.
Boston third baseman Mike Lowell had arthroscopic hip surgery Oct. 20, one day after the Red Sox were eliminated from the playoffs, to repair his hip labrum. He's expected to need three to four months to recover.
For arthritic hips, procedures are done to alleviate pain by smoothing the bone surface.
Even if Bonds signs with a team, which is considered a long shot even as a designated hitter in the American League, he is due in court in the middle of spring training...
