SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Giants have been given permission for rehabbing slugger Barry Bonds to play as a designated hitter during Cactus League home games at Scottsdale Stadium.

The Associated Press reported Tuesday that Giants assistant general manager Ned Colletti made the request after learning that the Cincinnati Reds were allowed to let Ken Griffey Jr. serve as a DH for five games after getting an OK by the Commissioner's office.

With Bonds recovering from Jan. 31 arthroscopic knee surgery, San Francisco wanted to ease the star into the lineup. Normally, the DH is used only during American League teams' home contests.

"After I read that the Reds had approached MLB on this issue and were granted approval, I decided to call MLB myself and ask that Barry be accorded the same privilege while he recovers from his knee surgery," Colletti told AP. "What MLB told me was that as long as we offered the visiting team the same opportunity to use a DH during one of our home games and contacted MLB before do it. It would be OK."

Bonds hasn't played in any spring games, but could be in the lineup sometime next week.