The Associated Press

Barry Bonds had a 10-minute operation Wednesday on his left elbow to remove a quarter-inch ball of scar tissue and a suture from a previous surgery.

"It was uneventful, exactly as we planned," Giants trainer Stan Conte said. "We didn't have to dig into the (triceps) muscle or anything else."

The 38-year-old slugger probably won't swing a bat or play in left field for three or four days.

• Pitcher Kirk Rueter agreed to a two-year, $12 million contract extension.

Rueter will receive a $3 million signing bonus to be paid out $1 million on Jan. 31 of each of the next three years. He will make $4 million in 2004 and $5 million in 2005.

DIAMONDBACKS: The team is requiring that players spend 10 minutes before each night home game signing autographs for fans.

"Every player will be out there down the left-field and right-field lines signing autographs and connecting with our fans," owner Jerry Colangelo said Wednesday.

The only exception will be that night's starting pitcher.

CUBS: Sammy Sosa made an on-time arrival, saying he was showing a commitment to his teammates and respect for new manager Dusty Baker. Sosa vowed to make any adjustments needed in a clubhouse of many new faces.

"By showing up early, they'll know I'm coming here to win," Sosa said.

MARLINS: Ace A.J. Burnett lost his arbitration case and will get $2.5 million this season instead of $3,075,000.

Burnett made $375,000 last year, when he led the major leagues with five shutouts and the Marlins with 12 wins.

DODGERS: Darren Dreifort took another step in his comeback from knee and elbow surgery by throwing breaking balls for the first time this spring during a round of batting practice.

"It's always a little bit different the first time you go up there with guys in the batter's box," Dreifort said. "But everything felt fine."

ASTROS: Former second baseman Craig Biggio, 36, is ready to play center.

The four-time Gold Glove second baseman is switching from second base to make way for former NL MVP Jeff Kent, who signed with Houston in December.

"It's another challenge, and challenges are exciting," Biggio said. "This is going to make us a better team, and if it makes us a better team and gets us to the playoffs or further, then that's what it's all about."

ATHLETICS: Miguel Tejada failed to report Wednesday with other position players, telling the team he is caring for his sick daughter in the Dominican Republic.

"He said he doesn't feel comfortable leaving right now," A's manager Ken Macha said.