SAN FRANCISCO — Barry Bonds' personal trainer could soon be conducting his standoff with federal prosecutors from the comforts of home.

A federal appeals court ordered that Greg Anderson be released from prison Thursday evening unless a lower court reissues its contempt ruling for his refusal to testify against the Giants slugger.

Anderson has been imprisoned twice for refusing to testify whether Bonds used steroids.

Mark Geragos, Anderson's lawyer, has been demanding Anderson's release. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed Wednesday, giving U.S. District Judge William Alsup until 5 p.m. Thursday to issue another contempt ruling or to set Anderson free.