A federal appeals court will hear Barry Bonds' appeal of his obstruction of justice conviction early next year.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday scheduled oral arguments for Feb. 13 before a three-judge panel in San Francisco.
The career home run leader was convicted in April 2011 of one felony obstruction count for giving an evasive, rambling reply during a 2003 grand jury appearance when asked whether he received drugs that required a syringe.
The jury deadlocked on three charges he made false statements, and prosecutors dropped those counts in August 2011.
U.S. District Judge Susan Ilston sentenced Bonds to 30 days of house arrest, two years of probation, 250 hours of community service in youth-related activities and a $4,000 fine. She delayed imposing the sentence pending the appeal.
Bonds' lawyers argue the answer was accurate and not meant to obstruct. Bonds initially was charged in November 2007.
Bonds' name is currently on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot. The Baseball Writers' Association of America are deciding whether he and 36 other players will be voted in. Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa are all the ballot. They are considered the first players of the steroids era to be up for the Hall of Fame. The results are expected to be seen as a referendum on the Steroids Era.
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The announcement of new inductees is due Jan. 9.
Bonds' court date is about a month later.
