01:00 AM EDT on Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Members of the San Francisco Giants' coaching staff have been contacted by former Sen. George Mitchell in his independent investigation of steroids in baseball.

"I understand some guys were supposed to (talk to him)," Giants manager Felipe Alou told The Associated Press yesterday. "That's all I know. That is very personal. I don't ask these guys."

Several people within Major League Baseball confirmed that coaches on Alou's staff had heard from Mitchell. They spoke on condition of anonymity after being asked not to discuss the investigation publicly. Harvey Shields, one of Giants slugger Barry Bonds' personal trainers, who works for the team, also was being sought by Mitchell.

The former Senate majority leader was appointed in March by commissioner Bud Selig to head the league's investigation into steroids in the sport.

Bonds, second on the career home run list behind Hank Aaron, is among the players being investigated.

Alou said he had not yet been contacted by Mitchell, "but I probably will."

Bench coach Ron Wotus, bullpen coach Mark Gardner, hitting coach Joe Lefebvre and first base coach Luis Pujols declined to comment when asked if they had been contacted by Mitchell -- as did longtime equipment manager Mike Murphy. Hitting assistant Willie Upshaw said he had not heard from Mitchell.

ROUNDUP SUSPENSION UPHELD: Chicago Cubs catcher Michael Barrett's 10-game suspension for punching the White Sox' A.J. Pierzynski was upheld by Major League Baseball yesterday. Barrett's suspension began with Monday night's interleague game against the Indians. He will be eligible to play again June 30 against the White Sox.

GUILLEN RIPS PODSEDNIK: White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen says that if left fielder Scott Podsednik doesn't improve his defense, his playing time may diminish. "He should be better," Guillen said.

YANKS CUT ERICKSON: The New York Yankees released pitcher Scott Erickson and sent infielder Nick Green outright to Triple-A Columbus yesterday.

KARSAY RETIRES: Veteran reliever Steve Karsay announced his retirement Saturday night, immediately after being credited with the victory in the A's 17-inning win over the Dodgers. It was his first major-league win since 2002. "On an everyday basis, I just felt I couldn't do it," said Karsay, 34.

MANUEL'S JOB SAFE: Phillies general manager Pat Gillick says manager Charlie Manuel is in no danger of being fired at the moment. "The manager's status is, 'No change,' " Gillick said Sunday.

SAUERBECK JOINS A'S: The Oakland Athletics agreed to a one-year contract with left-handed reliever Scott Sauerbeck yesterday. The 34-year-old Sauerbeck, in his seventh big league season, went 0-1 with a 6.23 E.R.A. in 24 relief appearances for Cleveland this season.

TWINS CUT BATISTA: The Minnesota Twins released third baseman Tony Batista yesterday, six days after he was designated for assignment.