SAN FRANCISCO -- Barry Bonds, who has lamented his "80-year-old knees," underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Monday to address minor arthritis and repair a small meniscus tear.

The 40-year-old outfielder underwent a similar operation on his left knee on Oct. 12, but the club reported that he should be at full strength for the start of the 2005 season.

Monday's 25-minute procedure was performed by Dr. Art Ting at the Fremont Surgery Center.

"This was a minor cleanup procedure and, in fact, the arthritis under Barry's kneecap was not as bad as we expected," said Stan Conte, the Giants' head athletic trainer. "He will start his rehabilitation tomorrow, and we expect him to be competitive in six weeks and be at full strength by Opening Day."

The Giants announced that the slugger -- who was noticeably limping during the final weeks of last season -- felt pain and swelling in his right knee during his normal offseason workouts.

Barry Bonds  /   LF
		Born: 07/24/64 Height: 6'2" Weight: 230 lbs Bats: L / Throws: L More info: Player page Stats | Splits Gallery Team Site | Shop

Despite playing 19 Major League seasons, Bonds has never suffered a major injury and has been on the disabled list only twice -- in 1999, after surgery to remove a bone spur and repair a damaged triceps tendon in his left arm, and in 1992, after straining a muscle in his right side.

From 1993 to 1998, Bonds played in 888 of 908 regular-season games.

In 1996, after aggravating his left hamstring, he sat out a game against Montreal, snapping a franchise-record 357-game playing streak. At the time it was baseball's second-longest streak, behind that of Cal Ripken, Jr.

Bonds faced the most medical challenges in 1999, when he played a career-low 102 games. That season he sustained an injury to his left arm; had a damaged right knee, which required surgery; and dealt with groin problems.

Chronic back spasms have flared up occasionally, and Bonds missed a handful of Spring Training contests last year in Scottsdale because of them.

Bonds also had a stress fracture in his right thumb in 2000, underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone chip in his right elbow in 1994 and had surgery on his left knee in 1988.