HOUSTON — Roger Clemens bounced up the steps of the Houston Astros dugout Wednesday morning and faced a group of wide-eyed minor leaguers that included his oldest son.
For three relaxing hours at the team’s minicamp, he was free from questions about steroid use, the Mitchell Report or his pending appearance before a congressional committee.
He was back in his element, baffling hitters with sliders and instructing pitchers on simple mechanics.
“I’m not going anywhere,” he said. “I love to do these things. If I can share any insight with these young kids, it’s all the better.”
Clemens sidestepped questions about accusations he used performance-enhancing drugs, laid out in the Mitchell Report based on information from Brian McNamee, his former personal trainer.
The seven-time Cy Young Award winner has been invited to testify before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee for a deposition or transcribed statement next Tuesday and public testimony eight days later. McNamee and former teammates Andy Pettitte and Chuck Knoblauch also have been invited along with former Mets clubhouse attendant Kirk Radomski.
“I won’t even discuss that,” Clemens said. “We’re handling that the right way. I’ve already done everything I’ve wanted to say, media-wise, on that.”
Clemens said he was looking forward to meeting with the committee and reiterated the toll the allegations have taken on his family.
“I’m getting ready to go through the process,” he said. “I get a chance to say my peace again. That’s really all I can say. Everybody is doing well. We’re grinding away and doing what we have to do.”
Clemens, who pitched for the Astros from 2004-06, lives in Houston, and the Astros kept an open invitation for him to participate in the minicamp, a precursor to spring training next month. Clemens has a personal services contract with the team that starts following his retirement as a player.
Astros owner Drayton McLane said he was “pleasantly surprised” that Clemens attended the minicamp.
Clemens’ oldest son, Koby, is a catcher in the Astros farm system.
METS: New York convened with Johan Santana’s representatives, and the club remains optimistic that it will be able to agree to terms on a contract extension with the two-time Cy Young Award winner by Friday’s 5 p.m. deadline.
General Manager Omar Minaya told industry friends he is at peace with the reality that Santana will request a salary well over $20 million per season. The years on the contract figure to be trickier — Santana would like a seven-year deal, matching what the Giants gave Barry Zito in December 2006 — but the Mets have a history of getting deals done with Santana’s agent, Peter Greenberg, who also represents Jose Reyes and Endy Chavez.
A group believed to include Minaya, COO Jeff Wilpon and assistant general manager John Ricco met with Greenberg in Manhattan.
The Mets and Twins agreed to a deal Tuesday that would send Santana to Flushing in return for prospects Carlos Gomez, Phil Humber, Kevin Mulvey and Deolis Guerra, but Santana will waive his full no-trade clause only if he gets the extension. All of the involved players must pass physical examinations.
The Mets also added depth to their bullpen by claiming hometown pitcher Ruddy Lugo off waivers from Oakland. Lugo was 6-0 with a 5.40 ERA in 38 relief appearances last season.
ROYALS: Reserve infielder Esteban German and Kansas City avoided an arbitration hearing, agreeing on a $1 million, one-year contract.
German batted .264 with four home runs, 37 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 348 at-bats last season.
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