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Knoblauch Will Testify

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The Associated Press

Published: January 29, 2008

WASHINGTON - Former Yankees second baseman Chuck Knoblauch agreed Monday to talk to a House committee investigating drug use in baseball, and the session was postponed until later this week.

The committee issued a subpoena for Knoblauch last week after he failed to respond to an invitation to testify. Knoblauch originally was to give a deposition Thursday, a session that was postponed until today. Under the new schedule, Knoblauch will give a deposition or transcribed interview Friday.

"We are pleased that Mr. Knoblauch has agreed to voluntarily participate in a transcribed interview or deposition with the committee. As a result, the Committee is withdrawing the subpoena," House Oversight and Government Reform Committee chairman Henry Waxman and ranking Republican Tom Davis said in a statement.

The appearance is in preparation for a Feb. 13 hearing, which is to include Knoblauch, Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte. Also scheduled to testify are Brian McNamee, the former personal trainer for Clemens and Pettitte; and former Mets clubhouse attendant Kirk Radomski.

Clemens' Son Makes Passionate Defense
HOUSTON - With Roger Clemens a no-show at Astros training camp Monday, Koby Clemens spoke out in defense of his dad.
Roger Clemens was accused by his former trainer in last month's Mitchell Report of using steroids and human growth hormone in 1998, 2000 and 2001, allegations the seven-time Cy Young Award winner vehemently denies.

"It kills me that this is happening to my dad," Koby Clemens, an Astros prospect, said after Monday's workout. "What he's done for the game and what now is being turned back to him for what he's done for the game is tough. It's hard on me, but you can't imagine how hard it is on my dad."

Koby Clemens, the pitcher's oldest son, said the ordeal has made his family stronger and brought its members closer together.

Clemens' agent released an 18,000-word, 49-page statistical report to refute allegations that his career improved about the time he was accused of using performance-enhancing drugs.

The pitcher has a personal-services contract with the Astros set to begin when he retires, and he helped last year at the training camp, which features Nolan Ryan and Jeff Bagwell.

"I don't think he's going to be able to make it out for this camp because he's getting all his stuff sorted out," Koby Clemens said. "Everybody loves him here. He's a great guy to talk to. How bad it's gotten, it just kind of stinks that he can't be here."

Astros general manager Ed Wade said he hasn't spoken to Clemens.

"He's still welcome to be here," Wade said. "We'll wait and see what happens down the road."

Inge Bitter About Losing Starting Job With Tigers

DETROIT - Brandon Inge is angry the Tigers acquired Miguel Cabrera to replace him at third base.

Inge asked the Tigers to trade him after they made the deal at the winter meetings nearly two months ago, but Detroit hasn't accommodated him.

"They're still trying to trade me, but I need to get ready for the possibility that I'm going to spring training with the Tigers," Inge said, speaking for the first time since the Cabrera trade. "People have said or written, 'Take your $6 million and be happy sitting on the bench.' But money doesn't make me happy - playing baseball does."

Inge agreed to a $24 million, four-year contract last winter. After talking to team president Dave Dombrowski on Monday, Inge said he is ready to move on and begrudgingly accept his role as a utility player.

CARDINALS: Pitcher Todd Wellemeyer avoided arbitration, agreeing to a $1 million, one-year contract. The deal includes performance bonuses that could be worth another $100,000.

PHILLIES: Free-agent third baseman Pedro Feliz agreed to an $8.5 million, two-year contract.

REDS: One week after authorities in Sarasota balked at upgrading their spring training facility, the Cincinnati Reds agreed Monday night to an exclusive, 75-day negotiation window with the city of Goodyear, Ariz.

The agreement means the Reds are likely to move their spring training base to Arizona as soon as 2010, when they would share a complex with the Cleveland Indians.

YANKEES: Joba Chamberlain could begin this season in the bullpen before moving to New York's starting rotation.

Chamberlain, a sensational reliever as a big-league rookie last season, is already throwing off a mound - more than two weeks before the start of spring training. The Yankees plan to use him as a starter this year, the role he was accustomed to in the minors. But the team wants to limit his overall innings, which means beginning 2008 in the bullpen is one option.

TRADE: The Red Sox obtained reliever David Aardsma from the Chicago White Sox for Willy Mota and Miguel Socolovich in a trade involving three right-handed pitchers.

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