Bonds says he’s ready, willing to go

Unsigned and thus far unwanted, Barry Bonds still hopes to play this year.

“I’m not going to retire. I don’t think that’s going to happen,” he told MLB.com. “I’m working out. I’m training. If my phone rings, it rings. If it don’t, it don’t. I have a cell phone. I have a Blackberry. They work. If something comes up, I’m sure they’ll let me know. I’ll come back in July if I have to. It depends on the circumstances.”

Baseball’s home run king was indicted in November on four counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice stemming from 2003 grand-jury testimony in which he denied knowingly using illegal performance-enhancing drugs. He pleaded innocent.

“I want to win a championship or else I want to keep trying to win a championship until there’s nothing left inside me,” Bonds said. “I can still play.”

The slugger did get one offer Wednesday, to work in media relations for a minor-league team.

The Lake Elsinore Storm, a Class-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, released a tongue-in-cheek statement announcing that the club has offered Bonds “a cushy Media Relations position (with slight pay cut from $19.3 million), full use of baseball facilities and of course expanded cubicle space with barcalounger and plasma TV.”

In other news, Nomar Garciaparra has a broken bone in his right hand, and the Los Angeles Dodgers’ third baseman might not be ready for opening day.

Kerry Wood missed a one-inning relief appearance because of lower back spasms, putting the competition for the Chicago Cubs’ closer job on hold.

And hard-throwing Joba Chamberlain will begin the season in the New York Yankees’ bullpen.

In other spring training games:

Rockies 10, White Sox 10

At Tucson, Ariz., Jim Thome homered twice and Alexei Ramirez also connected for Chicago.

Cardinals 12, Orioles 3

At Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Albert Pujols homered for St. Louis, his fifth of the spring despite a torn elbow ligament.

Angels 6, Athletics (ss) 1

At Phoenix, Rich Harden pitched six solid innings for Oakland, allowing two runs and eight hits. Vladimir Guerrero hit a grand slam off Keith Foulke, and Gary Matthews went 4-for-4.

Athletics (ss) 5, Cubs (ss) 2

At Mesa, Ariz., Wood sat out and one of his competitors for the closer role, Carlos Marmol, gave up a bases-loaded walk.

Rays 3, Phillies 1

At St. Petersburg, Fla., James Shields was picked to start Tampa Bay’s season opener.

Yankees 12, Pirates 9

At Bradenton, Fla., in the first night game at 85-year-old McKechnie Field, Byung-Hyun Kim gave up two late homers to an old nemesis: the New York Yankees.

Mets 3, Indians 1

At Port St. Lucie, Fla., John Maine struck out seven in 52â3 strong innings for New York.

Astros 8, Braves 7

At Kissimmee, Fla., Shawn Chacon secured a spot in Houston’s rotation, allowing one run and three hits in five innings.