Barry Bonds and Jason Giambi arrived at spring training Monday, prompting another round of questions about steroid use in baseball.

The pair testified in December to a grand jury investigating the California supplements lab accused of illegally distributing steroids to dozens of athletes.

Bonds, a six-time National League MVP, repeatedly has denied using steroids.

“They can test me every day if they choose to,” Bonds said after arriving at the San Francisco Giants’ camp in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Bonds’ trainer, Greg Anderson, was among four men charged this month in an alleged steroid-distribution ring. All the men have pleaded innocent, and no athletes have been charged.

“I feel bad for him,” said Bonds, who turns 40 this summer. “I feel sad. We grew up together. We’re friends. It’s unfortunate what he’s having to go through.”

Giambi arrived at the New York Yankees’ camp in Tampa, Fla., looking noticeably trimmer to manager Joe Torre and most everyone else.

Giambi said better eating habits and hard workouts left him leaner, and he lost four pounds during the offseason, leaving him at 228.

Giambi and new Yankees teammate Gary Sheffield each testified Dec. 11 before the grand jury probing the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative, a company accused of providing steroids to sports stars. Being subpoenaed did not mean an athlete was a target of the investigation, which was focused on possible drug and tax violations by BALCO.

Asked Monday whether he had taken performance-enhancing drugs, Giambi said: “Are you talking about steroids? No.”

Giambi said he welcomed the commissioner’s office testing players this season.

In other news, Eli Marrero and Atlanta agreed Monday to a contract extension through the 2005 season.

The catcher/outfielder, obtained from St. Louis in December, would have been eligible for free agency after the season. The deal could be worth as much as about $6.8 million over two years.

“We are excited to have a player of Eli’s ability and versatility on our roster,” Braves manager Bobby Cox said.

At Vero Beach, Fla., NL Cy Young Award winner Eric Gagne started workouts with the Los Angeles Dodgers, fresh off his loss in salary arbitration.

Gagne will make $5 million this season after going 2-3 with a 1.20 ERA and converting all 55 save opportunities last year. He asked for $8 million.

“Arbitration’s never fun,” Gagne said. “I’ve never heard anybody say, ‘I had a lot of fun at an arbitration hearing.’ Nobody likes to go to arbitration, but it’s over with. We just have to go on and think about winning games.”

At Bradenton, Fla., Raul Mondesi passed his physical and the Pittsburgh Pirates finalized their contract with the free-agent outfielder.

Mondesi, 33, hit .272 with 24 homers, 71 RBIs and 22 steals in 143 games with the New York Yankees and Arizona last year. His contract includes a team option for 2005.