NL Beat: Grimsley was asked to wear wire in Bonds probe, attorney says

Federal agents tried to pressure Jason Grimsley into wearing a wire during private conversations with other players to gather incriminating evidence against Barry Bonds, an attorney for the ex-Arizona pitcher said.

"It was a specific effort to target Bonds," Edward Novak told the Arizona Republic for a Thursday story. "We were told that Jason's cooperation was necessary to their case."

Novak also told the newspaper that Grimsley denied volunteering names of fellow players, as reported in court documents released Tuesday. Instead, federal agents asked Grimsley what he knew about the illegal drug habits of specific athletes, such as former Mets and Phillies outfielder Lenny Dykstra.

"They asked him specifically about Barry Bonds, and Jason said he didn't know Bonds well and didn't know if he did or didn't use drugs," Novak said.

The attorney said investigators asked Grimsley whether he was close to any San Francisco Giants players who might talk about Bonds. Grimsley refused, Novak said, and told investigators "baseball players don't go around talking about who is using and who isn't."

Novak did not return after-hours calls left Thursday at his office by The Associated Press. Bonds, asked about Grimsley's situation before the Giants' game, refused to comment.

While Grimsley's lawyer said the right-hander disputes much of what was in the affidavit released Tuesday, he did not deny past use of performance-enhancing drugs. "He has admitted his past steroid use," Novak said.

Arizona released Grimsley on Wednesday, a day after his home was searched by federal agents following his admission he used human growth hormone, steroids and amphetamines. Grimsley's agent, Joe Bick, told the AP the revelations were likely to end the 38-year-old reliever's career.

Thirteen federal agents searched Grimsley's home in Scottsdale, Ariz., for six hours Tuesday, but didn't reveal what was found. Investigators who cracked the BALCO steroid scandal in San Francisco said Grimsley initially cooperated in the probe but withdrew his assistance in April, prompting Tuesday's search.

An affidavit in support of that raid said agents had tracked a package containing human growth hormone to Grimsley's house April 19 and confronted him at his door. Novak said agents coerced Grimsley into cooperating to avoid being embarrassed in front of friends and family members at the home.

Chicago: RHP Kerry Wood was examined by Dr. Timothy Kremchek, who performed his most recent shoulder surgery. Kremchek said the stiffness Wood sometimes feels in the shoulder is a normal part of the recovery process. Wood will throw today, and the Cubs will decide whether to let him make his next scheduled start Sunday.

Cincinnati: CF Ken Griffey Jr. was out of the lineup for the second consecutive game because of a sore thigh. He's listed as day to day.

Philadelphia: LHP Randy Wolf pitched three innings in his first minor-league rehabilitation start since being sidelined by an elbow injury last season. Wolf, who could rejoin the Phillies in about a month, allowed one unearned run and two hits pitching for Class A Clearwater.

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