SAN FRANCISCO -- Sentiment for Barry Bonds to be named to the National League All-Star squad seems to be more and more widespread by the day.

With online fan balloting due to end Thursday night, Bonds ranked fourth in the latest vote totals, creating the possibility that the Giants left fielder won't earn an automatic starting berth.

But given the factors involved -- Bonds' respectable performance, his remarkable achievements overall, the fact that San Francisco will host the All-Star Game -- he's gaining momentum for his selection as a reserve. National League manager Tony La Russa will announce that decision on Sunday.

"Look at what he's doing at [age] 42," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Tuesday, endorsing Bonds. "With his career and the game being here, obviously he's a guy who should be here."

Bochy, who managed the NL All-Stars in 1999, believes that he doesn't need to call La Russa to promote Bonds.

"I think Tony's very much aware of the players having good years," Bochy said. "I've been there. You do your homework, you know where guys are as far as stats and who's having a good year. Nobody's more prepared in whatever he does than Tony. He doesn't need my help."

Hall of Famers Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn, speaking on a conference call to publicize TBS' All-Star Selection telecast on Sunday, also backed Bonds. Ripken and Gwynn will serve as analysts on the show.

"There has to be one guy from each team and there's no question that he's having the best year on his team," Gwynn said. "[The All-Star teams] are playing in his home park, so I think he deserves to be there. There is lots of controversy to Barry Bonds, but when you look at numbers and you look to see who would be the best representative for his club, I think it would be him. It's even more of a special honor [to be an All-Star] when it's your own park, and I think he should experience that."

Referring to the controversy regarding performance-enhancing drugs that surrounds Bonds, Ripken said, "Yes, there is a shadow that is hanging over the top of him, but when I think of Barry, I think of him as an All-Star player, and sometimes you have to have those All-Stars that are considered 'career All-Stars' at the game because that's what makes the All-Star Game so special. I don't get so caught up in the suspicion and speculation. I'd like to assume that everything is on the up and up, and I'd like to see him at the All-Star Game myself."

Bochy also mentioned catcher Bengie Molina and right-hander Matt Morris as other Giants worthy of All-Star consideration.

Injury update: Bochy rated shortstop Omar Vizquel's playing status as day-to-day. Vizquel, who left Monday night's game after six innings with tightness in his right groin, was out of the lineup for the 10th time this season.

Vizquel called the timing of the injury "really lousy," since he had begun to emerge from his season-long slump. He went 7-for-17 in the homestand's first four games, lifting his average from .224 to .236. Vizquel revealed that he initially hurt himself during last weekend's Yankees series, but was able to play on it until he broke from first base in Monday night's sixth inning.

"That's when I was really concerned, because as soon as I took off, I felt it," he said.

Center fielder Dave Roberts (food poisoning) rejoined the lineup on Tuesday.

"Today I feel more like myself," said Roberts, who missed two starts but contributed a pinch-hit RBI single in Monday night's eighth inning.

Infielder Rich Aurilia (strained neck) has begun playing catch and hopes to take full batting practice later in the week. Under Aurilia's best-case scenario, he'd start a Minor League injury rehabilitation assignment this weekend, which might enable him to be ready to rejoin the club when he becomes eligible on July 3.

"I don't want to put them in a bind, where they activate you and you play a game and you've got to go back on [the DL]," Aurilia said.

Coming up: The Giants and Padres conclude their series Wednesday with a 12:35 p.m. PT matinee. Matt Cain (2-8) will oppose Greg Maddux (6-4), San Diego's 339-game winner.