NL | Feds consider charges vs. family of Barry Bonds' trainer

Federal authorities are considering criminal charges against both the wife and the mother-in-law of Greg Anderson, Barry Bonds' former personal trainer, to pressure Anderson to testify against Bonds, according to a lawyer for Anderson's wife and other people with knowledge of the case.

A so-called target letter to Anderson's wife, Nicole Gestas, dated last November, was revealed by The New York Times earlier this summer. In it, the U.S. attorney's office in the Northern District of California advised Gestas that she could be charged with conspiring to commit a crime against the federal government.

The investigation of Gestas, which is focused on financial matters like taxes, includes Gestas' mother, Madeleine Gestas, a California businesswoman who has previously been subject to tax liens.

Federal prosecutors want Anderson to cooperate when Bonds goes on trial on charges that he lied to a federal grand jury about using steroids and human growth hormone. The trial is scheduled to begin March 2.

Arizona: The Diamondbacks reinstated right fielder Justin Upton from the 15-day disabled list and claimed left-hander Wil Ledezma off waivers from San Diego. The Diamondbacks also recalled righty Max Scherzer from Class AAA Tucson to bolster their bullpen before the NL West leaders hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Chicago: It was another first in Kerry Wood's second life as a baseball player. Thursday he finished his fourth straight game, which shows he has recovered from blisters and can handle the workload that may be demanded of a closer in the postseason. "After batting practice and playing catch [Thursday], I told [pitching coach Larry Rothschild] that I feel great,' Wood said. "I said, 'I'm going to be available, my arm feels great.' "

Houston: The Astros extended the contracts of pitcher Brian Moehler and outfielder Darin Erstad through the 2009 season. Erstad will make $1.75 million plus bonuses next season, and Moehler will make $2.3 million plus bonuses.

Philadelphia: The Phillies and Toronto Blue Jays were working to complete a trade that would send veteran left-handed hitter Matt Stairs to the Phillies. Neither Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi nor Phillies GM Pat Gillick would confirm that the trade was official. But the 40-year-old Stairs, who can play the outfield or first, told The Canadian Press he would be joining Philadelphia. "I never really had a say in it," Stairs said. "They told me I was going to a contending team and that made it a little easier to accept than if I was going to a team that was out of the race. That would have been different. This is a good opportunity for me."

San Diego: The Padres placed outfielder Scott Hairston on the 15-day disabled list because of a torn ligament in his left thumb.

Washington: Nationals right-hander Shaun Hill is scheduled to have his chronically sore right forearm evaluated Wednesday and will then undergo arthroscopic surgery on his pitching elbow.

Seattle Times news services