Congress preparing subpoenas in steroid investigation

By Times Staff Writer
Published March 9, 2005

NEW YORK - Jose Canseco, Mark McGwire and Jason Giambi were among seven current and former stars a congressional committee plans to subpoena as soon as today to testify about steroids.

Curt Schilling, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro and Frank Thomas also were asked last week to testify. Canseco and Thomas have said they were willing to appear.

"We hope subpoenas won't be necessary, but we are prepared to move forward with subpoenas (today) if we receive information that witnesses are not willing to appear voluntarily," David Marin, a spokesman for House Government Reform Committee chairman Rep. Tom Davis, said Tuesday.

BONDS TARGETS OPENER: Barry Bonds expects to be ready for San Francisco's season opener April 5, and the Giants asked the commissioner's office for permission to use a DH during spring home games to ease him in.

"I've never missed an opening day," Bonds said. "Being announced before your fans on opening day is great. The main thing down here is to be able to play nine innings consistently every day."

ANGELS: An MRI exam on Dallas McPherson's lower back revealed a protruding disk, a condition that could sideline the third baseman for a week or two. ... The legal battle over the newly christened Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim will have to wait until after the season, a judge in Santa Ana, Calif., said.

ASTROS: Left-hander Andy Pettitte pitched three innings in a simulated game as he tries to recover from season-ending surgery in August.

NATIONALS: A House committee passed a supplemental funding bill that would authorize the District of Columbia to move forward with plans to build a stadium. Final passage of the supplemental appropriations bill is expected by the end of next week.

PIRATES: NL Rookie of the Year Jason Bay will miss at least a week after jamming his left wrist diving for a flyball in the fifth inning against the Reds.

RANGERS: A day after playing second base for the first time this spring, Alfonso Soriano said he felt no pain in the left hamstring he injured in September.

REDS: Local businessman George Strike, Louise Nippert and the Gannett Co. confirmed they are trying to sell their limited shares, but local businessman Carl Lindner will remain in control.

RED SOX: Right-hander Curt Schilling was sidelined by flu symptoms, and team officials remained noncommittal about his chances of pitching in the season opener. Schilling had surgery Nov. 9 to repair a ruptured tendon sheath on his right ankle.

TWINS: Catcher Joe Mauer took batting practice a day after sitting out with a sore left knee.

[Last modified March 9, 2005, 00:56:05]