Clemens a no-show at Astros camp

Roger Clemens was a no-show when Houston Astros minor leaguers went through their usual drills Friday at Kissimmee, Fla.

Clemens flew home to Houston instead of working with the prospects for a third consecutive day, said his oldest son, Koby, a catcher in the Astros’ system.

Clemens departed the day after the FBI said it had opened an investigation into whether he lied in sworn testimony about steroids.

Astros owner Drayton McLane said he would honor Clemens’ 10-year personal services contract despite the FBI’s decision.

McLane said that reports that he was reconsidering Clemens’ contract because of his legal issues were “overstated.”

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Alex Gonzalez was diagnosed with a broken left knee. He will be evaluated again in three weeks.

The Reds said earlier this week that Gonzalez was expected to sit out the first few spring training games because of a sore knee. An examination by team physician Timothy Kremchek revealed the break.

Gonzalez batted .272 with 16 home runs and 55 runs batted in last season. He didn’t start a game after Sept. 12 because of a bone bruise in the same knee.

Oakland A’s third baseman Eric Chavez will be sidelined at least five days after receiving an injection to help ease inflammation in his lower back.

Chavez underwent corrective surgery in October after sitting out the final two months of last season because of lower back spasms.

New York Yankees broadcaster Bobby Murcer is scheduled to undergo a brain biopsy Monday in Houston.

Murcer, 61, had surgery on Dec. 28, 2006, four days after being diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor.

An MRI exam performed Tuesday showed an area of concern, which could be scar tissue or another tumor.