SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. ? Barry Bonds took a few swings in the batting cage at the San Francisco Giants’ training complex Saturday, facing live pitching earlier than the club expected.

Bonds, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Jan. 31, took his first cuts of spring training against hitting coach Joe Lefebvre. The seven-time National League MVP decided against the club’s plan to hit off a tee, preferring to face real pitching.

“I knew he wasn’t going to wait that long,” Giants manager Felipe Alou said. “I knew the guy was going to be swinging the bat sooner than expected.”

After Bonds underwent surgery, trainer Stan Conte said Bonds should be able to return for the final two weeks of spring training. The Giants haven’t moved up that timetable yet, but Bonds usually is a quick healer.

The 40-year-old Bonds is third on the majors’ career homers list with 703, trailing only Babe Ruth (714) and Hank Aaron (755). He won his seventh MVP award last season with 45 homers, 101 RBIs and a major league-record 232 walks.

Red Sox

Curt Schilling made progress Saturday in his second bullpen session of spring training and still could start on opening day for the Boston Red Sox. But manager Terry Francona doesn’t think there’s any reason to rush him.

“Opening day is not judgment day,” Francona said after Schilling’s 43-pitch, 13-minute session. “I think he made progress today. He’s certainly not where he wants to be for opening day.”

Cardinals

Jason Isringhausen, who tied for the National League lead with 47 saves last year, agreed to a three-year contract extension with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Isringhausen tied Armando Benitez of the Florida Marlins for the save lead to help the Cardinals win their first pennant in 17 years. He tied the team single-season save record set by Lee Smith in 1991 despite playing much of the season bothered by a painful hip condition that required surgery in November.

Dodgers

Norihiro Nakamura is expected to report next week to the Los Angeles Dodgers after clearing up his visa problems.

Manager Jim Tracy said he was told the Japanese infielder would arrive at the team’s spring training facility late Tuesday in Vero Beach, Fla.

“He’ll get a very good look in spring training,” Tracy said.

Nakamura, an eight-time All-Star in Japan, signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers earlier this month. He had a career .263 average with 307 homers in his 13-year career with the Kintetsu Buffaloes of the Japanese Pacific League.

Blue Jays

Toronto got in its first full-squad outdoor workout after being rained out Friday.

Manager John Gibbons was happy about the full workout because he knows showers are in the forecast for today.

“It’ll be the same group having to throw inside that did on Thursday,” said Gibbons, “It’s OK, though, as long as they throw.”

Orioles

Sammy Sosa was victimized by an elaborate practical joke by manager Lee Mazzilli.

Mazzilli gathered the entire team at the end of a long practice and told the players they would be running the bases in rapid succession. He assigned Sosa to begin the drill, telling him to sprint to second base as if he hit a double.

Sosa did it, then turned around to see no one behind him. Everyone laughed and walked off the field, leaving Sosa alone in the middle of the diamond.

“You got me!” he said. As he walked toward the dugout, Sosa got a big hug from Mazzilli just past first base.