DENVER (AP) – The San Francisco Giants pushed Barry Bonds’ return back at least a day after the star slugger still had soreness in his right knee following batting practice Monday.

Giants trainer Stan Conte said the swelling in Bonds’ knee was gone, but he was still quite sore.

Manager Felipe Alou hoped to have the five-time MVP back for the start of a two-game series against Arizona on Tuesday, but said it will be at least Wednesday before he can play again.

“He is still hurting a little bit,” Alou said. “He is still a couple of days away.”

Bonds has missed three games after injuring his knee against Colorado on Friday.

The single-season home run king was hurt in the fourth inning when he crashed into the wall trying to catch a flyball by Preston Wilson. Bonds stayed in the game, but limped off the field after leading off the fifth with a single.

Test results Saturday revealed mild tendinitis.

AP-ES-05-26-03 1524EDT