Mitchell wants to talk to baseball players
WASHINGTON, May 4 (UPI) -- Former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell has sent letters to Major League Baseball players requesting their testimony before a commission investigating steroid use.
Although the Maine Democrat did not say how many players he had notified, sources told The New York Times that about 36 were involved.
The special commission, which is scheduled to report its findings to Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig, does not have subpoena powers. Selig cannot force players to testify if they fear self-incrimination.
"We expect to meet soon with the players whose interviews we have requested," Mitchell told the Times.
Barry Bonds, the most notable player caught up in the steroid scandal, has reportedly not been sent a letter. Bonds is under criminal investigation.
Michael Rains, Bonds' lawyer, said he expects Mitchell to try to talk to his client eventually.
"I told my client, 'There's not a chance in the world you will make a statement directly to the government, or indirectly, through the Mitchell investigation, unless the federal government gets off your back,'" Rains told the Times in an interview Thursday.
Phillies place Tom Gordon on the DL
PHILADELPHIA, May 4 (UPI) -- Philadelphia Phillies reliever Tom Gordon Friday was placed on the 15-day disabled list with rotator cuff inflammation.
The team said on its Web site the condition was diagnosed and treated when the veteran closer was sent home from Atlanta. The move is retroactive to May 2, and Gordon is eligible to return May 17.
Gordon has three blown saves in eight chances this season. He last pitched in Philadelphia's 6-4 win over the Braves Tuesday night.
"The timing is never good," pitching coach Rich Dubee told The Philadelphia Daily News. "But if there is a good spin on this, it's that Brett (Myers) has some experience out of the bullpen."
The 39-year-old Gordon, who throws a devastating breaking ball, is 1-1 with five saves and a 4.82 ERA this season, in nine relief appearances and 9 1/3 innings.
He has four walks and 11 strikeouts.
Woods, Singh among leaders at Charlotte
CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 4 (UPI) -- Tiger Woods, Arron Oberholser and Vijay Singh are tied for the lead after two rounds of the PGA's Wachovia Championship at Charlotte, N.C.
The three are 6-under-par 138 through 36 holes.
Woods shot 4-under 68, Oberholser shot his second straight 3-under 69 and Singh came in with a 1-under 71 Friday.
"I got off to a pretty good start this morning, Woods said."(But) I felt like I pretty much have maximized my rounds."
"I couldn't get the greens this morning, I don't know why," Singh said.
Ted Purdy (69) and Jason Bohn (72) are tied for fourth place at 5-under 139.
First-round leader Padraig Harrington (75) is tied with a large group including Phil Mickelson (71) at 3-under 141.
A bogey-triple bogey ending cost Harrington a shot at the leaders.
Luke Donald (148) and Jim Furyk (150) were among those who missed the cut.
Robredo makes Estoril Open semifinals
ESTORIL, Portugal, May 4 (UPI) -- Second seed Tommy Robredo Friday beat No. 7 Agustin Calleri, 7-5, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, in the men's quarterfinals at the Estoril Open in Estoril, Portugal.
Robredo, of Spain, was the tournament runner-up in 2005.
Calleri, of Argentina, was a semifinalist last week in Barcelona, Spain, and played in the Estoril final in 2003.
Third-seeded Serbian Novak Djokovic beat Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain, 6-4, 1-6, 7-5; fifth seed Richard Gasquet of France downed American Vincent Spadea, 6-3, 6-4; and France's Paul-Henri Mathieu beat Juan Monaco of Argentina, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1.
"You've got to look on the positive side, it's always good to win a really difficult match," said Djokovic. "Today's match had a lot of unforced errors."
Robredo meets Djokovic in Saturday's semifinals, while Gasquet plays Mathieu.
Safarova advances at Estoril
ESTORIL, Portugal, May 4 (UPI) -- Former champion Lucie Safarova was among Friday's quarterfinal winners at the women's Estoril Open at Estoril, Portugal.
The third-seeded Safarova, from the Czech Republic, was a 7-5, 6-3, winner over Spain's Lourdes Dominguez Lino.
"It was a pretty tough match today," said the 20-year-old Safarova, who captured the tournament in 2005. "She was playing high topspin and I just had to wait for a winner."
Also advancing to Saturday's semifinals were Spain's Nuria Llagostera Vives, German qualifier Greta Arn and Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.
Llagostera Vives was leading top-seeded Marion Bartoli, 6-2, 3-1, when the Frenchwoman retired with an abdominal strain.
Arn beat Sweden's Sofia Arvidsson, 6-2, 6-2, and Azarenka was a 6-1, 6-2, winner over Argentina's Gisela Dulko.
In the semis, Safarova plays Azarenka, while Arn faces Llagostera Vives.
Sunday's champion will receive $21,140.
