WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Usually, the two TVs in Cleveland’s spring training clubhouse are tuned to some sports highlights show or music video channel. That wasn’t the case today.

The image of Roger Clemens filled them all.

One day before the Indians’ pitchers and catchers were scheduled to report, a handful of players, including pitchers Tom Mastny and Aaron Laffey, coaches and other club personnel watched as Clemens answered questions during a congressional hearing in Washington on his alleged use of steroids.

While none of the players was glued to the testimony, the proceedings involving one of the game’s iconic players, captured everyone’s interest.

“I’ve been working out so I haven’t watched it,” pitcher Jake Westbrook said, glancing up at the screen. “I’m sure I’ll see more of it later.”

Clemens’ appearance on Capitol Hill provided a strange backdrop as the Indians, who won the AL Central last season and came within one win of a World Series trip, prepared to officially open camp.

This spring could be an interesting one for Cleveland, whose roster underwent few changes this winter.

As Clemens defended his reputation and legacy, the Indians were awaiting word on the status of pitcher Paul Byrd, who acknowledged before Game 7 of the ALCS in Boston that he took human growth hormone for a medical condition.

The 36-year-old met with baseball officials in December, but it’s uncertain whether he will face any discipline from the commissioner’s office or when a potential punishment might be handed down.

The Indians expect Byrd to report on Thursday.

Another major issue for the Indians is the contract status of ace C.C. Sabathia, the reigning Cy Young Award winner who is eligible for free agency following the 2008 season.

In December, the Indians offered Sabathia a four-year extension worth between $17 million and $18 million per season. However, if they want to keep the left-hander, the Indians may have to approach the six-year, $137.5 million contract the New York Mets gave Johan Santana after they got him from Minnesota.

Generally, it was a quiet day at Indians camp today. Most of the early arrivals were minor leaguers with Westbrook and catcher Victor Martinez the biggest names. Martinez, who batted .301 with 25 homers and 114 RBIs last season, has dropped some weight and appears much stronger.

Manager Eric Wedge spent the morning meeting with his coaches and members of the front office.

Right-hander Jorge Julio, signed last month to a minor-league contract, will be a few days late arriving to camp because of visa problems in Venezuela.

The club said that pitcher Juan Lara, who sustained life-threatening injuries in a car accident in the Dominican Republic in November, has begun occupational therapy at Lutheran Hospital in Cleveland.

The 27-year-old sustained severe brain trauma, a fractured spine, two broken ribs and a punctured lung when a motorcycle slammed into the side of his vehicle. Doctors kept him in a medically induced coma for weeks before fitting him with a halo vest to support his neck.

Lara had surgery in late December to stabilize his spine and repair an arm fracture.

 

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