NL | Barry Bonds' trial will not start until March 2

Barry Bonds' trial is scheduled to begin March 2 now that he has pleaded not guilty Friday to 14 charges of making false statements under oath about whether he used performance-enhancing drugs and one charge of obstruction of justice.

The charges against Bonds, baseball's career home run leader, stem from statements he made in 2003 in a federal investigation.

Upon entering the courtroom Friday, Bonds leaned over to kiss the hand of his aunt Rosie Bonds Kreidler, his father's sister. She said she was there because her brother, Bobby Bonds, is dead, and she wanted someone from the family to be there to support Barry.

The plea was entered by Bonds' lead lawyer, Allen Ruby. Bonds' next court appearance was scheduled for a pretrial hearing Feb. 17.

The 15 counts supersede last year's five-count indictment; his defense team had challenged that indictment, and U.S. district Judge Susan Illston had agreed that the original five counts were "unnecessarily cumbersome and complicated." The government responded by filing the new indictment, but none of the counts concern different testimony than in the original charges.

For each of the 14 counts of making a false statement, Bonds faces a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. For the one count of obstruction of justice he faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and an additional $250,000 fine.

Atlanta: Mike Gonzalez said he believes his long comeback is nearing its end. Gonzalez, recovering from ligament replacement surgery on his left elbow, plans to report to Class AAA Richmond on Sunday for one or two injury rehabilitation appearances.

Houston: The Astros waived outfielder Jose Cruz Jr., a former Mariner, and called up outfielder Reggie Abercrombie from AAA Round Rock. Cruz Jr., 34, signed a minor-league contract with the Astros last November. He secured a roster spot during spring training, but hit only .122 (6 for 49) in 38 games this season.

Los Angeles: The Dodgers obtained SS Angel Berroa from the Kansas City Royals for minor-league infielder Juan Rivera. The deal was made exactly a year to the day that Berroa, the 2003 AL Rookie of the year, was designated for assignment by the Royals when they recalled outfielder Joey Gathright from the minors. The Dodgers assigned him to AAA Las Vegas, but he could be recalled this weekend.

San Diego: Padres 2B Tadahito Iguchi will miss four to six weeks with a separated shoulder after he tumbled while running the bases against the New York Mets on Thursday night. "We've been hit hard, especially on the pitching side," Padres manager Bud Black said Friday. "It's not good. He's a steady, dependable, intelligent player. He really knows how to play. He was very much a stabilizing force on the infield."

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