Giants' Bonds Out 10 Weeks

Barry Bonds will be out of the lineup for at least 2 ½ months after surgery on his throwing arm.

The All-Star left fielder underwent an operation to repair a triceps tendon in his left arm and a bone spur in his elbow.

San Francisco Giants team physician Dr. Bill Montgomery said Bonds was expected to be released from the hospital today and fitted for a brace this week.

"The prognosis is that Barry may return to competition in a minimum of 10 weeks' time," Montgomery said. "Given his history of recovery from previous surgeries, we're very optimistic that he will return without incident."

This is only the second time in his 12-year career Bonds has been on the disabled list.

It is not certain how Bonds hurt his arm, but manager Dusty Baker suspects it's just wear and tear.

On Monday, an MRI revealed the problems. Bonds skipped Monday's game a 5-4 victory over the Florida Marlins and got a second opinion from San Jose Sharks team physician Art Ting, who confirmed the diagnosis.

Bonds spent his only stint on the disabled list in 1992 when he was with Pittsburgh. He had a strained right side then.

"Barry's not one to complain," Baker said. "He knew something was wrong and something was wrong."

The team got the news late Monday night after beating the Marlins. Bonds was batting .366 with four home runs and 12 RBIs.

"You can't replace Barry Bonds," general manager Brian Sabean said. "It will be a test of our character and the depth of our team. It's something we're going to have to deal with, and depend on Dusty's ability to mix and match."

After Monday's game, the clubhouse stereo that usually blares after home wins was silent.

"We're going to miss him because he creates a lot of things for the team," said Stan Javier, who replaced Bonds in left field. "We have to make sure we're in good shape when he comes back. On the good side, it's happened early, so he can come back and help."

Shawn Estes, who started for the Giants and gave up four runs on six hits, said Bonds' absence will be a test for the team.

"We're missing a big part of our offense. I know he doesn't want to be there and he'll be back as soon as he possibly can," he said. "Now we have to go do what we can without him."

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