Associated Press
HOUSTON ó A federal judge ruled Tuesday that Roger Clemens can keep his lawyer in the defamation lawsuit against his former trainer, who accused the pitcher of using performance-enhancing drugs.
Lawyers for Clemensí former trainer, Brian McNamee, filed a motion for attorney Rusty Hardin to be removed from the case because Hardin represented both Clemens and pitcher Andy Pettitte for several days before the release of the Mitchell Report in December.
After the reportís release, Pettitte admitted he used human growth hormone but Clemens has steadfastly denied using any performance-enhancing substances and in January filed a defamation suit against McNamee.
Pettitte later told congressional lawyers that Clemens informed him nearly a decade ago he had used HGH. Clemens claims Pettitte imisremembers.î
McNameeís attorneys had argued that Hardin should be removed from the case because there could be a conflict of interest. In defending Clemens, Hardin could attack the credibility of Pettitte, his one-time client, or use privileged information against him, McNameeís attorneys said. Hardin denied those claims.
BONDS
NEW YORK ó The playersí association has expressed concern to the baseball commissionerís office over the lack of offers to Barry Bonds, asking for additional information about the offseasonís free-agent market.
The 43-year-old outfielder remains unsigned and hasnít received any offers since he became a free agent.
SCHILLING
DETROIT ó Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling tested his ailing shoulder by playing catch on flat ground Tuesday but isnít ready to begin throwing off a mound.
iHe did good. He looked good,î manager Terry Francona said. iItís a good step for him. But heís not ready yet.î
The 41-year-old right-hander threw 25 balls from 60 feet away. Heíll repeat the exercise Thursday.
iWell, that day is here, finally. Today Iíll be ëallowedí to play catch for the first time since January,î Schilling wrote on his Web site before the session. iA lot has happened and there is probably even more left to do, but itís a step.î