Extra Bases

February 17, 2008

Roger Clemens is in a minority of players disputing their names in the Mitchell Report. Two more players named in the report showed up to spring camps and said the accusations that pertained to them were accurate. They were Cincinnati pitcher Kent Mercker and Colorado pitcher Matt Herges. Both confirmed using HGH several years ago. "I chose to do the wrong thing," Herges told reporters in Rockies camp. "It's embarrassing to even talk about." . . .

Andy Pettitte, another Mitchell Report listee who has confirmed taking HGH, is due to report to Yankees camp tomorrow. How Pettitte pitches after a winter of controversy is a big question. The Yankees may ultimately kick themselves for not being more aggressive in trying to get Johan Santana from the Twins. Yanks GM Brian Cashman was reluctant to part with too much young pitching in a proposed deal. If Cashman's young pitchers falter, he could feel the wrath of the new Boss, Hank Steinbrenner. The original Boss' son, speaking on the subject of the Santana deal, has already told the New York Daily News this: "Hopefully, that's not a move we should have made that I'm going to be [ticked] off about." . . .

Story continues below.

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa has invited Mark McGwire to camp to tutor hitters. McGwire has refused the invite in recent years, but could say yes this year. . . .

Former Phillies Michael Bourn and Tomas Perez were the first two position players to report to Astros camp. Bourn is slated to be the Astros' opening day centerfielder. Perez, always a personal favorite of Astros GM Ed Wade, is a non-roster player likely to play at triple A. . . .

Former Phillies prospect Mike Costanzo has reported to Orioles camp with pitchers and catchers. The O's want to see if Costanzo, who can play the corner infield spots, can add catching to his repertoire. Costanzo played third base in the Phillies system and organization officials considered taking a look at him behind the plate. . . .

There are some interesting connections in the Phillies' spring-training clubhouse. Assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. hit the last of his 16 career big-league home runs off lefty Vic Darensbourg on July 24, 1998. (Check that bat for cork.) Darensbourg, 37, is a non-roster player in the Phillies camp. Also, young lefthanded pitchers Josh Outman and Joe Savery have a history. Savery, who was an excellent hitter at Rice before becoming the Phillies' top pick in last year's draft, had his first college hit off Outman, who was a pitcher/outfielder at Central Missouri. - Jim Salisbury

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