Mitchell questions shrugged off

Roger Clemens declined to discuss reports he could face a criminal investigation for perjury when he arrived at the Houston Astros' spring training camp, telling reporters he wanted to focus on baseball.

Clemens did not discuss Monday's report in the New York Times that Congress has taken the first steps toward asking the US Justice Department to launch an investigation into whether he lied under oath earlier this month.

Clemens appeared before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to deny using performance-enhancing substances after being named prominently in the Mitchell Report.

"All the other stuff that's been going on in the last month, we're moving forward," Clemens said.

"Everything's been said about it and quite frankly, I think people are getting tired of hearing about it. We're moving on.

"The sport's been great. We're moving forward."

Clemens, who has a personal services contract with the Astros, is due to throw batting practice the next three days.

"It's great to be down here again and do a little work," Clemens said.

"Anything that they need me to do or ask me to do, I'll try to do.

"What's great is now, really, in my second or third year of kind of being around them and watching draftees that were in their first year, being in their second or third year now, they're getting comfortable asking questions and more pointed questions, so that's good."