KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Roger Clemens was a no-show when Houston Astros minor leaguers went through their usual drills at spring training on Friday.
The Rocket flew home to Houston instead of working with the young prospects for a third straight day, said his oldest son, Koby, a catcher in the Astros’ system.
Clemens departed the day after the FBI said it opened an investigation into whether he lied in sworn testimony about steroids.
Houston Astros owner Drayton McLane said Friday he will honor Clemens’ 10-year personal services contract despite the FBI’s decision. McLane said that reports that he was reconsidering Clemens’ contract because of his legal issues were “overstated.”
“All the legal troubles, does that jeopardize this?” he said. “My answer was, ‘I don’t know where that’s going. We’ll just have to wait and evaluate what happens.’ But I don’t see anything that’s occurred right now that would jeopardize his contract. That’s what was overstated.”
Clemens’ contract begins after he retires. He threw batting practice to minor leaguers on Wednesday and Thursday, but McLane said he did it voluntarily and did not get paid. The Astros said earlier in the week that Clemens also planned to work with the minor leaguers on Friday.
Koby Clemens said his father wanted to fly home to attend a baseball tournament in which his younger brothers were participating. Koby said Roger will return to Florida, but he did not know when, and added that his mother and three brothers also will come.
On Thursday, the FBI said it took over the Clemens case after Congress asked the Justice Department to look into Clemens’ testimony at a Feb. 5 deposition and a Feb. 13 hearing. Clemens could face charges of perjury, making false statements or obstruction of justice. McLane said he was not familiar enough with the wording in the contract to know how an indictment might affect Clemens’ agreement.
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