BASEBALL

BONDS INDICTMENT COULD TERMINATE DEAL

Barry Bonds gave the San Francisco Giants the right to terminate his $15.8 million, one-year contract if he is indicted.

The unusual provision, included in the deal that was completed Monday night, protects the team in case Bonds is charged in the federal government’s steroids investigation.

Bonds’s personal trainer, Greg Anderson, is in a California federal prison because he has refused to testify whether Bonds committed perjury when he told a 2003 grand jury he never knowingly used performance-enhancing drugs.

As part of the agreement, if Bonds is indicted the Giants have the right to terminate it under two sections of the Uniform Player Contract, a baseball executive said yesterday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the team didn’t announce that detail.

PADRES, WELLS FINALIZE ONE-YEAR DEAL

New Padres manager Bud Black ran into his no. 5 starter on yesterday at Petco Park and liked what he saw.

“He looked great,” Black said about David “Boomer” Wells, whose one-year deal with his hometown team was finally announced 11 days after the sides agreed to terms. “There was an energy to him, which is very positive.”

Wells, who turns 44 on May 20, and the Padres reached the deal on January 19. Because the left-hander was out of town most of last week, he wasn’t able to take his physical until Monday.

BASKETBALL

GRIZZLIES WAIVE EDDIE JONES, EXPECTED TO JOIN HEAT

The Memphis Grizzlies waived guard Eddie Jones on Tuesday after agreeing to a buyout of his contract.

Jones didn’t play in Monday night’s victory over Sacramento, and the Commercial Appeal reported yesterday that he had agreed to a buyout. Jerry West, the team’s president of basketball operations, announced in a statement that the guard had been waived.

“He was a consummate professional and we wish him well in his future basketball endeavors,” West said. “On a personal note, I think he has a bright future in basketball after his playing days are over.”

Jones was believed to be considering signing with several teams, including the Miami Heat, for whom he played before being traded to Memphis prior to the 2005-06 season. He will be eligible to sign with a new team tomorrow.

FOOTBALL

TROY SMITH PUSHING BROWNS TO DRAFT HIM

Usually the one avoiding pressure, Troy Smith is putting the heat on the Cleveland Browns.

Ohio State’s Heisman Trophywinning quarterback is lobbying his hometown team to select him in April’s NFL draft, and he isn’t missing any chance to remind the Browns that he’ll be available to them soon.

Smith was named the area’s outstanding collegiate athlete at Monday night’s Greater Cleveland Sports Awards, and during a taped acceptance speech he thanked the city’s fans for their support.

“Hopefully, I’ll get a chance to represent you guys at the next level with the Cleveland Browns,” he said.

COLLEGE SPORTS

HERPES OUTBREAK SUSPENDS MINNESOTA H.S. WRESTLING

Minnesota high school wrestling programs were suspended yesterday because of a widespread herpes outbreak.

The Minnesota State High School League banned competitions and direct contact between wrestlers in practice until February 6 after 24 cases of herpes gladiatorum were reported by 10 teams. The virus is spread by skin-to-skin contact, and symptoms include lesions on the face, head and neck.

The suspension is meant to control the current outbreak, allow time to diagnose new cases and prevent disqualifications at the state tournament, scheduled for February 28-March 3.

The Minnesota Department of Health has been tracking the virus, caused by herpes simplex Type 1, the same strain that causes cold sores. Officials first became aware of the outbreak at a tournament in Rochester in late-December.