SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Barry Bonds said Tuesday he hasn’t heard yet from former Sen. George Mitchell in his independent investigation of steroids in baseball.

Mitchell, the former Senate majority leader, was appointed in March by commissioner Bud Selig to head the league’s investigation into steroids. He has already contacted some members of the San Francisco Giants’ coaching staff.

Bonds, who has always denied using performance-enhancing drugs to fuel his home run chase, said he is determined to stay upbeat despite his decreased production this season, a sore, tired body, and his off-the-field issues.

“I’m doing good, ain’t I? I’m going to be a positive person no matter what,” Bonds said. “As long as my health is good and my family’s happy, I’m going to be happy.”

Bonds returned to the Giants’ lineup for Tuesday night’s interleague series opener against the Texas Rangers after he left Sunday’s game against the Oakland Athletics following the second inning with irritation in his left knee.

Bonds, who turns 42 on July 24, is batting .252 with 11 home runs and 34 RBIs this season and has drawn 62 walks – 26 intentional. With 719 career homers, he is second on the career list behind Hank Aaron (755).

“I’m loving life,” Bonds said. “I’m just going to roll with it and have fun.”

What is he struggling with?

“Everything,” Bonds said, chuckling. “But I’m happy. I’m enjoying myself. I wave to the people outside, cheery.”

Bonds said he hurt his left knee – he had three operations on the right one in 2005 – stealing a base Friday night for the first time in nearly two years after team broadcaster Mike Krukow challenged the seven-time NL MVP’s speed. Bonds acknowledged his competitive nature took over and he might have pushed his body too hard to prove Krukow wrong.

“I can only do it once. I need a break after that,” Bonds said. “I’m not slow. I’ve played like this most of my career.”

Bonds also reiterated that he doesn’t plan to be in Pittsburgh for next month’s All-Star game. He wants ace Jason Schmidt, another former Pirates player, to represent the Giants.

“Been there, done that,” he said of returning to the city where he started his career. “Schmitty deserves it. He should represent this team. He’s pitched well all year.”

While Bonds was ready to play again, right fielder Moises Alou missed another day after receiving a cortisone injection in his troublesome lower back on Monday’s off day. He has missed eight games with back spasms.

Bonds and Alou have played only 30 games together dating to last season, and the Giants are 13-8 with both of them in the lineup this year.

“Me and Mo are just trying to figure out what somebody has with us being on the field at the same time,” Bonds said. “Somebody has a hex on us. We need to figure out what it is and kill it.”