Congress Gets Documents on Palmeiro

Documents about Rafael Palmeiro’s failed drug test were turned over to Congress by Major League Baseball on Friday, documents that will be used to determine whether to pursue a perjury charge against the Baltimore Oriole first baseman.

The House Government Reform Committee wants to know whether Palmeiro lied in March when he testified under oath that he had never used steroids.

Palmeiro was suspended for 10 days on Aug. 1 after a positive steroid test. The next day, he agreed with Government Reform Committee Chairman Thomas M. Davis III (R-Va.) to let baseball release information requested by the panel.

Davis and the committee’s ranking Democrat, Henry A. Waxman of Los Angeles, submitted to baseball a list of what they wanted, including the timeline of Palmeiro’s case, the substance for which he tested positive, and details about any previous drug tests taken by him.

Palmeiro said he was glad to see Congress begin work on his case.

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Right fielder Mike Cameron will need facial surgery and center fielder Carlos Beltran sustained a concussion after their outfield collision on Thursday, the New York Mets said.

They spent Thursday night in a San Diego hospital after their seventh-inning collision during the Mets’ 2-1 loss to the Padres.

They were running at full speed for David Ross’ sinking liner, and their heads hit as they dived for the ball.

Cameron broke his nose, and had multiple fractures of both cheekbones and a slight concussion.

Beltran was expected to rejoin the team today in Los Angeles.

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San Francisco Giant outfielder Moises Alou, who has a strained right hamstring, was put on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to Aug. 3. Right-hander Scott Munter also went on the 15-day disabled list because of right elbow inflammation.