Roger Clemens' denials about steroid use have finally roused the interest of Congress.
As a result, Clemens has been asked to Washington – along with Yankees lefty Andy Pettitte – to testify under oath before the House Oversight Committee.
Clemens' former trainer Brian McNamee was also asked to appear at the Jan. 16 hearing, as was former Mets clubhouse attendant Kirk Radomski and ex-Yankees second baseman Chuck Knoblauch.
Former Sen. George Mitchell, author of the report, has been asked to appear before the committee on Jan. 15, as well as Commissioner Bud Selig and Don Fehr, head of the players association.
“Roger is willing to answer questions, including those posed to him while under oath,” Clemens' lawyer, Rusty Hardin, said in a statement. “We hope to determine shortly if schedules and other commitments can accommodate the committee on that date.”
McNamee's lawyer indicated that his client would also testify. There was no immediate word about Pettitte's willingness to appear.
McNamee and Radomski provided much of the substance in the Mitchell Report on steroid use in baseball. McNamee testified that he injected Clemens with steroids and human growth hormone in 1998, 2000 and 2001, a claim that the seven-time Cy Young Award winner has denied.
In a taped interview to air tomorrow night on CBS' “60 Minutes,” Clemens told Mike Wallace that McNamee injected him with only Vitamin B-12 and Lidocaine, a pain reliever.
“It's for my joints. And B-12, I still take today,” Clemens said, according to transcripts released by CBS.
Padres update
The Padres yesterday signed left-handed pitcher Mike Megrew to a minor league contract and named Bill Masse manager of their Double-A affiliate in San Antonio.
Megrew, 23, spent the past six seasons in the Dodgers minor league system. He was 6-6 with a 5.30 ERA in 19 starts with Double-A Jacksonville last season. He had 90 strikeouts in 93 1/3 innings. Megrew has been invited to the Padres major league camp for spring training.
Masse, 41, managed Toronto's Double-A team last season after managing for five seasons in the Yankees farm system. He succeeds Randy Ready at San Antonio. Ready became the manager of Triple-A Portland when Beavers manager Rick Renteria was named the Padres' first base coach to succeed Bobby Meacham.
– BILL CENTER
Wrigley to add box seats
The Cubs received permission to add 70 “bullpen box seats” along the third base line at Wrigley Field and install additional signage.
The city of Chicago gave approval for the changes at the 93-year-old ballpark, which has landmark status.
Peter Scales of the city's Department of Planning and Development said the changes were approved because “landmark buildings aren't frozen in time, need to be maintained and can be improved while respecting their history.”
The changes were approved as government officials mull Tribune Co.'s request to have Wrigley Field renovated.
Nats' Ayala injured
Nationals right-hander Luis Ayala was hit in the left forearm by a shotgun pellet during a hunting trip but is expected to be able to participate when spring training begins.
Ayala has a bruised nerve in his upper forearm and is experiencing a tingling sensation, which the Nationals said is improving daily. Small fragments of the pellet remain in his arm and won't be removed, as long as Ayala does not get an infection.
Around the majors
CARDINALS: Infielder Aaron Miles agreed to a $1.4 million, one-year contract.
ROYALS: Japanese pitcher Hideo Nomo agreed to a minor league contract and was invited to spring training. The 39-year-old right-hander hasn't pitched in the majors since 2005.
