Bonds

Giants outfielder Barry Bonds, who has a record 39 home runs before the All-Star break, has confirmed he will participate in Monday night's Home Run Derby (8 p.m. on ESPN) at Safeco Field.

Bonds, who has not homered in 12 games and 39 at-bats, will be joined by the Cubs' Sammy Sosa, Bret Boone of the Mariners, Luis Gonzalez of the Diamondbacks, Todd Helton of the Rockies, Manny Ramirez of the Red Sox, Troy Glaus of the Angels and Rangers shortstop Alex Rodriguez.

Earlier in the week, Rodriguez said he wasn't participating, but he changed his mind Saturday.

Rodriguez, who left the Mariners in the offseason to become baseball's highest-paid player with the Texas Rangers, said he changed his mind after talking with officials in the commissioner's office.

"They feel it's in the game's best interest for me to do it, and that's what I want to do," Rodriguez said before Saturday night's game against San Diego.

"I know I'm going to take my abuse, but that's fine. I think it'll be good for baseball and I'm going to try to go out and enjoy it."

Rodriguez, voted to start at shortstop for the AL, was booed loudly in the Rangers' two visits to Seattle this year. He originally didn't want to participate in the home run derby for the same reason.

"I didn't want to be a distraction for everyone and have that be the theme of the home run contest, them booing me," said Rodriguez, who has 25 homers. "Hopefully this will be better and more enjoyable."

Rodriguez received a record $252 million, 10-year free-agent contract from the Rangers in December.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.