Touch 'Em All: Barry Bonds seeks dismissal of felony conviction

A lawyer for Barry Bonds urged a federal appeals court Wednesday to toss out the disgraced slugger's obstruction of justice conviction, saying a rambling answer he gave while testifying in December 2003 before a grand jury was not a crime.

Bonds' legal team asked a three-judge panel of the San Francisco-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to dismiss the lone felony conviction stemming from his response when asked whether Greg Anderson, his personal trainer, ever gave him "anything that required a syringe to inject yourself with?"

Bonds' reply referred to his father, former major leaguer Bobby Bonds. "That's what keeps our friendship. You know, I am sorry, but that - you know, that - I was a celebrity child, not just in baseball by my own instincts. I became a celebrity child with a famous father," he said. "I just don't get into other people's business because of my father's situation, you see . . ."

In April 2011, a federal jury found him guilty of obstruction.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Merry Jean Chan said Bonds' denial and his other rambling answers to the same question throughout his grand jury appearance added up to obstruction. "He answered the question falsely each time," she said.

If his conviction is upheld, he will have to serve 30 days' house arrest.

Yankees closer Mariano Rivera said he's reached a decision on whether this will be his final season, but he's not talking until he's good and ready.

"I will tell you guys when I think it's the right moment," baseball's career saves leader told reporters on Wednesday.

The 43-year-old Rivera had surgery June 12 to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, an injury that happened May 3 while shagging fly balls during batting practice.

Daisuke Matsuzaka on Wednesday joined the revitalized Cleveland Indians.

The 32-year-old righty, limited to 18 starts the last two seasons because of elbow issues, signed a minor-league contract that allows him to compete for a spot in Cleveland's rotation. If he's added to the 40-man roster, Matsuzaka will make $1.5 million this season. He can earn an additional $2.5 million in performance bonuses.

Matsuzaka went 50-37 in six seasons with the Boston Red Sox, but only 17-22 since 2008. He underwent reconstructive elbow surgery in 2011.

Fighting back tears, Seattle Mariners ace Felix Hernandez signed a seven-year contract Wednesday worth $175 million that makes him the highest-paid pitcher in baseball.

The contract covers the final two years of his current deal that was scheduled to run through the 2014 season and adds five additional years through the 2019 season.