Time is running out on Barry Bonds' chances of returning to the Giants lineup this season. But a club spokesman said on Thursday that the Giants expect Bonds to work out with the team on Monday before their game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles at Dodger Stadium.

Bonds was cleared by Dr. Lewis Yocum and physical therapist Clive Brewster, who have been overseeing Bonds' rehab at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic on the west side of Los Angeles since June 24. Giants general manager Brian Sabean was told that the pair would evaluate the condition of the Bonds' thrice-surgically repaired right knee on Tuesday before clearing him to work out again.

The news comes less than 24 hours after the left-handed slugger said that he might work out with the team during its three-game series against the Dodgers, which extends through Wednesday. The Giants return to SBC Park to open their final extended homestand of the season against the Cubs next Thursday.

Continuing to remain upbeat about the rehabilitation, Bonds took batting practice this week at UCLA and is heading toward a full recovery for 2006, his last year under contract with San Francisco.

He wouldn't completely rule out a return to action before the end of the month, but said that would be determined.

"During the past 15 days, my knee has been feeling great," Bonds said on his Web site, barrybonds.com. "I was out on the track doing sprints, agility movements, throwing and exercises to help increase my stamina. Even with some fluid remaining, my knee has been handling the pressure, and I've been able to work through it.

"If things look good and Dr. Yocum and Clive are satisfied in terms of how my knee is responding, then there's a good possibility I might be taking a few workout swings with the team when it comes to Los Angeles next week."

By the time the Giants finish the series in Los Angeles, they will have only 24 games remaining, 14 at home. The club's last homestand includes four games each against the Cubs and Dodgers and three games against the first-place Padres, who are threatening to pull away from the pack in the National League West. They then close the season with three games at SBC Park against the Diamondbacks.

Bonds said it was not certain by any means that he would be able to get back into the lineup this season.

"There are still a few things I need to work on before coming back, like baserunning to see how my knee responds, as well as game-situation drills," Bonds said. "If I do get to work out with the team, it will be a nice step towards my return. I know that Dr. Yocum and Clive will be watching me very closely so we can assess what my next steps will be.

"My workouts continue to be positive, and I feel that I'm getting closer to my goal of joining my teammates this season."

Sabean had told reporters not to leap to any conclusions on Tuesday in San Francisco, when he disclosed that Bonds had been back in the cage hitting this week.

Sabean added that the medical people are in control of Bonds' future.

"It's in their hands, and we have full faith in how they've handled it and how it's going under their guise," Sabean said. "It's a day-to-day situation, but the good thing is he's building on what they're asking him to do. He's not standing still, and he's not taken steps back. He's moving forward with everything they've asked him to do."

Bonds said a month ago that he didn't think he would be back until 2006. But his rehab has been going so well since then, he has advanced substantially.

Still, at 41 years old, Bonds is facing the real possibility of missing an entire season for the first time in his 20-year big-league career.

He hasn't played since the final game of the 2004 season, having ended the year with 703 career homers, 11 behind Babe Ruth's 714 and 52 behind Hank Aaron's record of 755. He worked out on the field at Scottsdale Stadium during Spring Training and took several rounds of batting practice before succumbing to additional knee surgery.

Bonds had arthroscopic surgery on the right knee to remove torn meniscus on Jan. 31 and March 17 and then had surgery to purge a serious bacterial infection on May 2. He also had surgery to shave debris from beneath his left kneecap last October, just after the end of the season.

Bonds said it just felt good to get back in the batting cage this week and hit again. During one live session in Scottsdale, he faced about 50 pitches and smacked eight home runs, virtually hitting off one healthy leg -- his left.

"Monday was my first day back in the batting cage after months of rehab," he said. "Putting on my batting gloves, rubbing tar on my bat and stepping up to the plate made me start thinking about being in the batter's box again. Hearing the crack of the bat for the first time brought it all back to me. I took about 200 pitches from John Yandle, and with each swing I felt more and more comfortable in there.

"I hit for about an hour, worked up a good sweat and I'd have to admit that I was satisfied with the results. I'm looking forward to another day in the cage."