San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds says that his January 31 knee surgery won't keep him from playing on opening day this year on April 5.

'I've never missed an Opening Day that I know,' Bonds told Reuters. 'I don't want to miss that day. Being announced on your home field is great. ... Everybody's excited so much about the first day. You forget you have 161 (games) left.'

The Giants have received special permission from Major League Baseball to allow Bonds to serve as a designated hitter at spring training home games according to a report in the San Francisco Chronicle. Normally, the DH is only used in American League games. The commissioner's office said the Giants could use it at home exhibition games against National League teams if the visiting team agrees to it and is also allowed to use a designated hitter.

Bonds hopes the DH work will help him get ready for opening day. 'You've got to get through soreness, heavy legs and a little stiffness,' Bonds added.

The 40-year-old Bonds needs only 11 home runs to tie the immortal Babe Ruth for second place on the all-time home run list and 52 more to catch all-time leader Hank Aaron. Bonds has been under intense scrutiny for his alleged involvement in the BALCO scandal and due to allegations that he used steroids.