The Associated Press

MONTREAL - Barry Bonds is likely to return to the San Francisco Giants' lineup today.

Bonds has been on bereavement leave to visit his ailing father, Bobby.

But after Monday's 4-0 loss to Montreal, Giants manager Felipe Alou told reporters that "Barry will probably be back (today)."

Bonds missed the team's entire four-game series in Montreal as San Francisco extended its season-high losing streak to six games.

Right-hander Felix Rodriguez was activated from the 15-day disabled list following Monday's game. Rodriguez, out with strained muscles in his right side since Aug. 3, is 6-2 with two saves and a 3.59 ERA.

Shortstop Rich Aurilia, on the disabled list since Aug. 4 after having an appendectomy, will be activated when he becomes eligible today. Aurilia was hitting .269 with nine homers and 42 RBI before his operation.

"Getting Richie back might help us get going a little bit," Alou said.

Left-hander Chad Zerbe and shortstop Cody Ransom were optioned to Triple-A Fresno.

WILLIAMS SAGA: Criminal charges won't be filed against two of Ted Williams' children, who were accused by their brother-in-law of forging a note stating the slugger wanted to be frozen after death.

A laboratory analysis of the note determined Williams' signature appears to be genuine and there is no way forgery could be proved beyond a reasonable doubt, concluded assistant state attorney Mark Simpson.

INDIANS: Cleveland activated outfielder Matt Lawton from the 15-day disabled list and optioned infielder Zach Sorensen to Triple-A Buffalo.

Lawton dislocated his right middle finger July 11 while swinging the bat in a game against the Chicago White Sox.

"He'll play as the DH exclusively until we get him on a return-to-throw program," manager Eric Wedge said, adding that there is no timetable for Lawton to resume throwing.

Lawton is hitting .248 with a team-leading 15 homers and 47 RBI this year. Over his last 25 games before getting injured, Lawton batted .313 (30-for-96) with eight homers and 17 RBI.

BRAVES: First baseman Julio Franco was put on the 15-day disabled list Monday after breaking a finger in a freak accident.

Franco, who is batting .297 with three homers and 27 RBI in a part-time role, was talking with a teammate in the weight room when an 80-pound dumbbell rolled over the middle finger on his left hand.

"The tip of my finger is like a tomato," said Franco, his finger covered by a splint and bandage. "I was like 'Uh-oh.' I knew I hurt it right away."

He's expected to miss a week to 10 days.

PERFECT BOBBLEHEAD: The Florence Freedom will give away a "Mr. Perfect" Tom Browning Bobblehead to the first 1,500 fans purchasing a ticket to the Frontier League game with the Chillicothe Paints at Hamilton's Foundation Field on Aug. 29.

Game time is 7:05 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m.

Tickets are $6 and $8.

Browning, manager of the Freedom, pitched a perfect game on Sept. 16, 1988 while with the Cincinnati Reds.

TIGERS: Outfielder Bobby Higginson and bench coach Kirk Gibson were suspended and fined Monday by major league baseball for their ejections from a game Aug. 10 against the Minnesota Twins.

Higginson was suspended for two games for "directing inappropriate comments" at umpire Doug Eddings during an argument over balls and strikes and then "through the media following the game," baseball said in a statement.

Gibson was ejected for yelling from the dugout.

ANGELS: The team requested waivers on infielder Benji Gil on Monday for the purpose of granting his unconditional release.

Gil appeared in 63 games this season, hitting .192 with one homer and nine RBI.