SAN FRANCISCO — Some of Barry Bonds’ former teammates, along with other retired major-league players and perhaps Jason Giambi, who signed a minor-league contract with the Rockies this week, will have to testify at the slugger’s upcoming perjury trial, a federal judge said Friday.
Lawyers for Bonds argued at a hearing before U.S. District Court Judge Susan Illston that the players should be excluded because of their ties to Bonds’ former trainer Greg Anderson, who is refusing to testify against the slugger.
Illston previously barred much of the evidence relating to Anderson. Without his testimony, it could be impossible to prove urine samples that purportedly tested positive for steroids had been collected from Bonds by Anderson.
Bonds, 46, has pleaded not guilty to 10 counts of perjury and an obstruction charge after telling a grand jury in December 2003 he never knowingly took steroids.
Both sides will return to court Feb. 11 to wrangle over whether a secretly recorded conversation between Anderson and former Bonds business partner Steve Hoskins should be played for the jury.
In that conversation, Anderson discusses how he is helping Bonds avoid infections by injecting him in different parts of his buttocks rather than in one spot.
Angels acquire Wells from Blue Jays
LOS ANGELES — The Angels acquired all-star center fielder Vernon Wells from the Blue Jays in exchange for catcher Mike Napoli and outfielder Juan Rivera.
There was speculation the Blue Jays would also send cash to the Angels to help offset Wells’ contract. He has four years and $86 million left on the $126 million, seven-year deal he signed with Toronto. Wells waived the no-trade clause.
Damon, Ramirez sign with Rays.
Outfielders Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez agreed to one-year contracts with the Rays. Damon gets $5.25 million and the chance to earn $750,000 in bonuses based on attendance, and Ramirez gets $2 million.
Footnotes.
Seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens asked a judge to throw out charges that he lied to Congress in 2008 when he denied using performance-enhancing drugs.
• Infielder Nick Punto, a switch-hitter, agreed to a $750,000, one-year contract with the Cardinals.
• The White Sox picked up their 2012 option on manager Ozzie Guillen’s contract. The Associated Press
