HOUSTON (AP) - Spring training for the Houston Astros has come
with its share of drama in recent years.
It should be no different next week in Kissimmee (kuh-SIM'-ee),
Florida.
Miguel Tejada was the biggest acquisition in an offseason full
of changes.
But the day after Tejada signed he was mentioned in the Mitchell
Report on steroid use in baseball.
Since then, his older brother died in a motorcycle accident.
The FBI is trying to determine if Tejada made false statements
to U.S. House committee staff in 2005 when he was interviewed about
Rafael Palmeiro and steroids.
The Astros still expect Tejada to show up on time for the team's
first full-squad workout February 19th.
Houston manager Cecil Cooper says his staff just has to focus on
what guys do on the field and getting them ready.
Cooper says his top priority is finding out who he has behind
number one starter Roy Oswalt.

Houston Astros spring training at a glance
Manager: Cecil Cooper (first full season).
2007: 73-89, fourth place.
Training Town: Kissimmee, Fla.
Park: Osceola County Stadium.
First Workout: Feb. 14/Feb. 19.
He's Here: SS Miguel Tejada, 2B Kaz Matsui, CF Michael Bourn,
INF Geoff Blum, OF Darin Erstad, RHP Doug Brocail, RHP Geoff Geary,
RHP Jose Valverde, RHP Oscar Villareal.
He's Outta Here: SS Adam Everett, RHP Brad Lidge, RF Luke Scott,
INF Eric Bruntlett, RHP Matt Albers, LHP Troy Patton, INF Chris
Burke, RHP Chad Qualls, RHP Juan Gutierrez.
Outlook: Tejada was the cornerstone of an active offseason. The
Astros seem undaunted that the FBI is investigating whether Tejada
lied to House committee investigators about steroids. GM Ed Wade
visited Tejada in the Dominican Republic during the Caribbean World
Series and expects him to show up at spring training on time.
Bourn, a Houston native, will likely lead off and give the Astros a
base-stealing threat they lacked last season. The switch-hitting
Matsui replaces stalwart 2B Craig Biggio and could be an offensive
upgrade - he hit .288 in 2007 and Biggio hit .251. Slugger Lance
Berkman shook off a slow start to hit .278 with 34 homers in 2007
and LF Carlos Lee batted .303 with 32 homers, matching a career
high. Behind RHP Roy Oswalt, the rotation remains suspect. RHP
Brandon Backe went 3-1 late last season after coming back from
Tommy John surgery. LHP Wandy Rodriguez and RHP Woody Williams went
a combined 17-28 in 2007. The bullpen, inconsistent since Houston
won the pennant in 2005, got a major facelift. Valverde, who led
the majors with 47 saves in 2007, replaces Lidge as Houston's
closer. Brocail, who pitched for the Astros in the mid-90s, had a
3.05 ERA in 67 relief appearances for San Diego last season.