Bonds furious after allegations

San Francisco — Barry Bonds avoided specifics Thursday when asked about the latest doping allegations against him, instead unleashing a flurry of expletives toward sprinter Tim Montgomery.

Montgomery reportedly testified to a grand jury that the man at the center of a Bay Area steroid scandal told him he supplied the San Francisco Giants’ slugger with performance-enhancing drugs.

“I ain’t never met Tim Montgomery. I don’t know Tim Montgomery. I’ve never seen the dude in my life,” Bonds said before the Giants’ game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. “I don’t even know what the guy does.”

According to a report Thursday in the San Francisco Chronicle, Montgomery testified last year that BALCO founder Victor Conte told him Bonds switched to an undetectable steroid in 2003 when baseball introduced its drug policy.

The six-time NL MVP repeatedly has denied steroid use.

“It bothers me when people I don’t even know are saying stuff about me,” said Bonds, who hasn’t homered in nine games. “Next time, if I know for sure so-and-so, they’re going to talk to my lawyer from now on, I guarantee that. If any of them statements are true, they’re going to talk to my attorney, I guarantee that — in a lawsuit. … See you in court, brother.”

La Russa, Kline: Everything is fine

St. Louis — Cardinals manager Tony La Russa didn’t want to talk Thursday about the actions of reliever Steve Kline, who made an obscene gesture and yelled toward his own dugout the previous night.

La Russa and Kline insisted the pitcher’s actions, which came after he wasn’t called into Wednesday night’s game in the sixth inning, were old news.

“What else do you want to talk about?” La Russa said before Thursday’s game.

He had not seen video of Kline taken by a Chicago television station.

“I’ve heard enough about it, though,” La Russa said. “So if we’re going to talk some baseball, we’ll talk baseball. I’m not getting into that.”

Kline said he and La Russa always have had a loose, easy, joking relationship.

“I’ve always gotten along with him,” Kline said. “I might have just crossed the line a little too far with him. I don’t know.”

Phillies shelve Ledee, recall infielder Utley

Montreal — Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Ricky Ledee was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday after having hemorrhoid surgery.

Ledee had surgery in the morning, one day after returning to Philadelphia prior to the Phillies’ 5-2 win in Montreal. The move was retroactive to Wednesday. Philadelphia manager Larry Bowa was left with a 23-man roster for the second straight game for Thursday’s series finale.

Dominican right-hander Elizardo Ramirez and second baseman Chase Utley, who was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, will join the Phillies in Boston, where they begin a three-game series today.

Beckett back on DL

Miami — Florida Marlins ace Josh Beckett will be placed on the disabled list Friday because of a strained back muscle. The Marlins will recall left-hander Michael Tejera from Triple-A Albuquerque to start Saturday at Tampa Bay.

Red Sox 2B Reese could return soon

Boston — Boston Red Sox second baseman Pokey Reese wore a brace on his left hand to protect his injured thumb Thursday, and Boston remained hopeful that he may soon return to the lineup.

Reese partially tore a ligament in the second inning of a 4-2 loss Wednesday night to the Minnesota Twins.

“He’s very sore, but I think there’s less swelling than he thought or the trainers thought,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. “Although he’s sore, maybe this thing is manageable in a couple days.”

Mark Bellhorn started at second Thursday in the finale of the three-game series.

Reese was hurt when he made a dive for Luis Rivas’ ground single up the middle. He left the game before the bottom of the third.

Lee drops appeal of suspension

Chicago — Cleveland Indians left-hander Cliff Lee dropped his appeal Thursday and began serving a six-game suspension for throwing a ball behind Ken Griffey Jr. on June 12.

Lee, who is 7-1 after beating the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday night, decided to drop his appeal on the advice of manager Eric Wedge.

With a day off Monday, the Indians will keep their rotation intact without calling up a pitcher from the minors or using a reliever out of the bullpen.

Pettitte to return

Houston — Astros left-hander Andy Pettitte is expected to come off the disabled list Tuesday to start against the Chicago Cubs. Pettitte has been on the disabled list since May 27 because of a strained left forearm. He is 4-1 with a 3.38 earned-run average.