SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. ? Barry Bonds surprised his San Francisco teammates Sunday when he jumped into the batting cage to take a few swings against new closer Armando Benitez, just four weeks after knee surgery.

Bonds faced nine pitches from Benitez at the Giants’ spring-training stadium, only taking two swings — hard grounders to the right side of the infield.

But just being at home plate is significant progress for the 40-year-old MVP.

“Just to stand in the cage and track balls was enough for me, just to show that to my teammates,” Bonds said.

With several new teammates on San Francisco’s reloaded roster, Bonds seems determined to participate in as many group activities as possible leading up to Thursday’s Cactus League opener. He also participated in the team’s stretching exercises before a light workout day for the Giants and played catch in the outfield.

“I’m one of those guys that just tries to keep himself ready for a game,” Bonds said. “It’s different, very different, but the good news is that my leg is coming to ground sound. The rehab is working, but I’ve still got a lot to do.”

Benitez, who signed with the Giants as a free agent during the winter, was startled when his star teammate stepped into the cage. He threw Bonds a few fastballs and one changeup that caused the slugger to smile.

Braves

Kissimmee, Fla. — Atlanta manager Bobby Cox all but announced John Smoltz will be the Braves’ opening-day starter. While Cox hasn’t revealed his choice, he already has set up his spring pitching schedule in such a way that Smoltz would be ready to go in the April 5 opener at Florida.

Smoltz, the only player who has been with the Braves for their entire run of 13 straight division titles, is returning to the starting rotation after spending the last three years as the closer, earning 144 saves.

Angels

Tempe, Ariz. — Angels right-hander Kelvim Escobar, who had shoulder stiffness in January, threw off the mound for the first time and did not experience any soreness. Manager Mike Scioscia said earlier in the week that Escobar likely would drop to the No. 5 spot in the rotation out of camp as a precautionary move.

Cardinals

Jupiter, Fla. — St. Louis right-hander Matt Morris threw his first batting-practice session since having minor shoulder surgery in December.

“Matt was very good today, facing batters for the first time,” pitching coach Dave Duncan said. “He threw the ball good, and he felt good, a very positive day, I would say.”

Brewers

Phoenix — Ben Sheets, recovering from offseason surgery, threw batting practice at Milwaukee’s spring-training facility. Sheets had surgery to repair a herniated disc in October. He is scheduled to start the Brewers’ opener April 4 at Pittsburgh.

Pirates

Bradenton, Fla. — Pittsburgh pitcher Oliver Perez threw off the mound for the first time since injuring his left shoulder by sleeping awkwardly on it earlier this month.

Perez threw 23 pitches, all fastballs, in a five-minute session held indoors because of heavy rain.

“I feel so happy and good,” Perez said. “Everything feels normal now.”

Yankees

Tampa, Fla. — Left fielder Hideki Matsui doesn’t expect talks on his possible contract extension to be completed during spring training.

Arn Tellem, Matsui’s agent, and Yankees general manager Brian Cashman started negotiations Saturday.

Matsui is due $8 million in 2005, the final season of a $21 million, three-year deal. He has a clause in his contract that requires the Yankees to put him on waivers unless a new contract is agreed to by Nov. 15.