Barry Bonds, who three days ago said he didn't think he'd play this year, wrote on his website that he still hopes to return during 2005.
''I'm still unsure of if and when I'll be able to come back this year,'' Bonds wrote. ''This has not changed in the past couple of weeks. I'm working hard on the bike and the elliptical machine, but I'm just not there yet. While I continue to progress, I do not want to push myself to come back sooner and ultimately jeopardize the health of my knee and suffer a setback. However, I still remain optimistic.'' If Bonds does come back next month, he might not be anything more than a pinch-hitter.