SAN FRANCISCO — Home run king Barry Bonds said Sunday he is "proud" of slugger Mark McGwire for returning to baseball as the St. Louis Cardinals' hitting coach and for admitting his use of performance-enhancing drugs.

In January, McGwire ended more than a decade of denials and evasion and finally acknowledged he used steroids and human growth hormone during his career, including in 1998 when he hit 70 home runs and broke the single-season record.

Bonds, who topped that mark when he hit 73 homers in 2001, has long denied ever knowingly using steroids or performance-enhancers. Bonds was indicted on charges he lied in 2003 to a federal grand jury investigating BALCO, and obstructed justice.

ARLINGTON, Texas — Cliff Lee took another step toward joining the Seattle Mariners' rotation, throwing 45 pitches off the bullpen mound before Sunday's game against the Texas Rangers.Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu said he was encouraged by what he saw from Lee, who is on the 15-day disabled list with an abdominal strain and is expected to miss the first month of the season.The 2008 Cy Young Award winner will throw a 60-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday and a 35-40 pitch simulated game on Friday. After that, Lee could go on a minor league rehab assignment.

NEW YORK — Dwyane Wade still doesn't want to rule himself out yet for the world championships this summer, even with family reasons that could make it difficult for him to play.Saying there were "a lot of things said prematurely from both sides," Wade reiterated his commitment to USA Basketball on Sunday and hopes he can take part this summer.However, his divorce trial is scheduled to begin in June. Wade is asking for sole custody of his two young sons.