"I assumed, and I am not surprised, that the tests were positive for both DNA and for performance-enhancing drugs, because that's what Brian said all along, and there's not much doubt that Brian's been telling the truth," McNamee's lawyer, Richard Emery, told the Associated Press. "The confirmation of that fact, once again, just seems to me to be another significant step towards jail for Clemens."
A federal grand jury in Washington is investigating whether Clemens lied when he told a congressional committee last year that he didn't use illegal performance-enhancing substances. McNamee, testifying before the same committee, said he repeatedly injected Clemens with steroids and HGH.
Rusty Hardin, Clemens' lawyer, did not return a telephone call seeking comment.
In another Yankees matter, general manager Brian Cashman thinks he's unlikely to acquire a fill-in third baseman to replace Alex Rodriguez.
Rodriguez had arthroscopic surgery Monday to repair torn cartilage in his right hip and is expected to return in May. The top internal candidate to fill in at third base is Cody Ransom.
Noteworthy
* Oakland third baseman Eric Chavez remains optimistic that he can play by Opening Day despite a setback in his shoulder rehabilitation.
In the World Baseball Classic:
* At Toronto, Bobby Abreu and Miguel Cabrera hit consecutive blasts to start a four-homer outburst in the fourth inning that powered Venezuela to a 10-1 victory over Italy and a spot in the second round, which begins Saturday in Miami. Venezuela will play the United States tonight to decide the winner of Group C.
* At San Juan, Puerto Rico, Yadier Molina's go-ahead double keyed a three-run rally in the eighth inning, and Puerto Rico beat the pesky Netherlands, 3-1, to advance to the second round. The Netherlands will face the Dominican Republic in an elimination game tonight. *
