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Despite a disappointing season and impending free agency, Andruw Jones still hopes to be playing for the Atlanta Braves in 2008.

There have been no contract negotiations between the team and agent Scott Boras, though Jones is likely to be more affordable than he was at the start of the season. He went into Monday's game against the Florida Marlins hitting just .220 with 24 homers and 88 RBIs.

"If they want me here, I'll be here," Jones said. "It just depends on what the Braves want to do."

The Braves have shown no inclination to discuss a new contact with Jones, probably figuring he would be too expensive to fit within their budget. The likelihood of him returning to the only team he's ever played for became even more remote when Atlanta acquired Mark Teixeira at the trade deadline.

Teixeira is under contact at least through next season and eligible for arbitration, which will surely increase his salary from the $9 million he's making this year.

But Jones isn't giving up.

"That's the way the Braves always deal with free agency," he said. "We'll have to see what happens. Hopefully, they'll come up with something. Maybe it will happen, maybe it won't."

HOME RUN BALL: The fate of Barry Bonds' record-breaking home run ball is now in the public's hands after its buyer announced he was taking votes on whether to give the ball to the Hall of Fame, brand it with an asterisk or blast it into space.

Fashion designer Marc Ecko revealed himself as Saturday's winning bidder in the online auction for the ball that Bonds hit last month to break Hank Aaron's record of 755 home runs. The final selling price for No. 756 was $752,467, well above most predictions.

Ecko had not even taken possession of the ball before setting up a Web site (www.vote756.com) that lets visitors vote on which of the three outcomes they think the ball most deserves. He plans to announce the final tally after voting ends Sept. 25.

CARDINALS: St. Louis pitcher Mark Mulder might have additional tests on his surgically repaired left shoulder after struggling in all three starts this month.

Trainer Barry Weinberg said that an MRI exam could be scheduled for Mulder. Mulder, 0-3 with a 12.27 ERA, experienced discomfort during Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs.

The Cardinals also said outfielder Chris Duncan, who hasn't played much this month due a sports hernia, is scheduled for an operation Thursday.

YANKEES: Mariano Rivera was available for New York again, one night after the pinkie on his pitching hand was bruised by a stray throw as he loosened up in the bullpen at Fenway Park.

The star closer was stretching late in Sunday night's game against the Boston Red Sox, preparing to warm up, when an errant toss hit him on both bare hands. Rivera initially thought the ball might have come from the stands, but more likely it was a wild throw that sailed out of Boston's nearby bullpen.

"I'm sure it was just an error," he said. "I know they didn't do it on purpose."

NATIONALS: Washington claimed right-hander Enrique Gonzalez off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The 25-year-old Gonzalez was 8-10 with a 5.14 ERA in 27 starts at Triple-A Tucson this season.

He went 3-7 with a 5.82 ERA in 23 major-league appearances, including 18 starts, over the past two seasons.