Roger Clemens said Tuesday he has never taken steroids, human growth hormone or any other performance-enhancing drug.

But the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association wants more time to consider the matter before deciding whether to hear Clemens talk about his workout methods that led to what appeared to be a Hall of Fame career.

The coaching association met Tuesday and decided to postpone a decision on letting Clemens speak at the group's annual convention next month. Clemens spoke with one of the group's coaches before the meeting and said he"is ready to come speak,"said Jim Long, president of the association.

"We feel we owe it to our association and Roger himself to give him the benefit of the doubt further,"Long said.

The accusations by former trainer Brian McNamee were the most striking in last week's Mitchell Report.

Former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell wrote McNamee said he injected Clemens with steroids in 1998 while with the Toronto Blue Jays, and steroids and human growth hormone in 2000 and 2001, while with the Yankees.

"I want to state clearly and without qualification: I did not take steroids, human growth hormone or any other banned substances at any time in my baseball career or, in fact, my entire life,"Clemens said in a statement.

In other developments:

Baltimore second baseman Brian Roberts has acknowledged using steroids, but insists he only tried it once before realizing he had made a"terrible decision."

The baseball players'union has agreed to discuss with owners the recommendations Mitchell made to toughen the sport's drug program.

Congress announced plans to review the use of performance-enhancing drugs, with hearings scheduled next month and legislation to limit access to steroids and human growth hormone.

Briefly

Marlins stadium:Miami-Dade County commissioners approved a public works project that includes a new stadium for the Florida Marlins.

Mets:The Mets agreed with reliever Matt Wise on a $1.2 million, one-year deal.

Mateo pleads guilty:Former Seattle pitcher Julio Mateo pleaded guilty to beating his wife in a New York hotel.

Astros:Houston and right-hander Chad Paronto agreed to a one-year, $500,000 deal.

Yankees:Traveling secretary David Szen pleaded guilty to filing a false tax return and admitted he failed to report more than $50,000 in tips from players and coaches over five years.

Julio Mateo, right, relief pitcher for the Seattle Mariners , exits a police station in Midtown Manhattan in New York , Saturday, May 5, 2007. Mateo was questioned by police Saturday following a domestic dispute at a Manhattan hotel that left his wife needing stitches to her mouth, police said. " align="left" border="0">

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Julio Mateo was arrested Saturday following a dispute at a Manhattan hotel that left his female companion needing five stitches to her mouth, police said. Police initially identified the woman as Mateo's wife, but later said it was unclear whether that was true. The 6-foot, 220-pound reliever was arrested on a charge of third-degree assault and was awaiting...

Mariners manager Mike Hargrove, center, pulls Mariners reliever Julio Mateo, left, in the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins as Mariners catcher Kenji Johjima, of Japan, looks on Thursday, April 19, 2007 in an MLB baseball game at Safeco Field in Seattle. The Mariners lost, 6-5, to the Twins. " align="left" border="0">

Losing a home start for the first time in almost two years sent Johan Santana back into perfectionist mode. "When you lose a game ... it's like starting all over again," said the Twins' left-hander, who brushed off the Metrodome setback he suffered in his last start with another fine performance against Seattle.