Like it or not, Barry Bonds will probably return to the major leagues after next week’s all-star break.

Bonds has been working out daily and is poised to join a contender. Clubs have resisted temptations to sign the home-run king this season, partly because of his age (he’ll be 44 this month) and largely because of his off-field problems (steroid allegations), but MLB sources tell Metro the general mindset is changing.

“Bonds can make the difference to a team aiming to win a championship,” an AL general manager said. “In the first half, no one wanted to touch him because of the circus that would come along with him. But, now, the pros on signing Bonds would likely outweigh the cons for a team in a pennant race.”

The most likely team for Bonds: The Arizona Diamondbacks, who have lost outfielder Eric Byrnes for the season because of a hamstring injury.

Initial trade pitches

• Before they obtained pitcher C.C. Sabathia from the Cleveland Indians the other day, the Brewers rejected a trade proposal from the Blue Jays that would have sent pitcher A.J. Burnett to Milwaukee for shortstop J.J. Hardy. . .(What’s with all the initials?). . .The Philadelphia Phillies are hunting for a pitcher and covet Burnett and Ontarian Erik Bedard of the Seattle Mariners. . .The Tampa Bay Rays, determined to prove their first-place status in the AL East is no fluke, hope to bolster their roster by acquiring both outfielder Matt Holliday and relief pitcher Brian Fuentes from the Colorado Rockies.

McGrady to Motor City?

• And, speaking of major trade possibilities, there’s a blockbuster brewing in the NBA, too.

The Detroit Pistons, we hear, are making a big pitch to the Houston Rockets for perennial all-star Tracy McGrady.

Jays' sick bay

• So both Shaun Marcum and Dustin McGowan are now out with injuries to their throwing arms, and you can’t help but wonder about those mouth guards and necklaces they’ve been wearing on the mound all season.

Both of the Jays’ young pitchers have insisted that these mouth guards and necklaces were being worn for health reasons, not as fashion statements.

“They’re more circulation devices for general health,” said Bart Given, the Jays’ assistant general manager. “I don’t think you can say these devices were supposed to prevent them from getting arm injuries.”

Lions looking to the past

• And CFL sources tell Metro the B.C. Lions plan to pursue two quarterbacks in trade talks if they lose to the Blue Bombers and fall to 0-3 in Winnipeg tonight.

One of them is their old QB – Dave Dickenson.

For details, and lots more on the league, check out my latest CFL Report.