San Francisco Giants superstar outfielder Barry Bonds said there is a possibility he could return to the team in September. Even if he isn't able to recover from a right knee injury by then, Bonds said he will "definitely be in the 2006 lineup." Bonds made the statements on his personal web site. The seven-time National League MVP wrote that his injury didn't look promising two weeks ago, but it's improved in the last 10 days. "My strength and endurance have increased and my knee is feeling much better," Bonds said. "I have been playing catch and in the next few weeks I hope to be in the cage doing some hitting. There is a good possibility that I could be back in September with the team." Bonds has had three operations on his right knee since late January, with the most recent procedure taking place May 2, when fluid was drained. He had an arthroscopic procedure on March 17 for a debridement of tears in the medial and lateral menisci of his right knee. He also had a minor arthritis cleanup and small meniscus tear repaired on January 31. "They (doctors) have been testing the torque on my right leg and the levels are good," Bonds said. "This is one more reason why I feel that my return is possible this season." The 40-year-old Bonds currently has 703 career home runs and is just 11 shy of matching Babe Ruth for second place on baseball's all-time list. He captured his seventh NL MVP award last season after hitting .362 with 45 homers and 101 runs batted in despite just 373 official at-bats. He broke his own major league record by walking 232 times. Surgery was also performed on Bonds' left knee last October, and he has been under a constant microscope from the media because of the BALCO controversy and baseball's steroids frenzy. Without Bonds in the lineup, the Giants have faltered to fourth place in the National League West this season and enter Tuesday's play 15 games (51-66) under .500.