On the first day of baseball's new era of drug testing, former slugger Jose Canseco and several players he has accused of joining him in abusing steroids were invited to testify before a congressional committee.

"There's a cloud over baseball, and perhaps a public discussion of the issues, with witnesses testifying under oath, can provide a glimpse of sunlight," said Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., chairman of the House Government Reform Committee.

Davis and the top Democrat on the panel, Rep. Henry Waxman of California, announced yesterday they were inviting Canseco and six other former or active players, including the New York Yankees' Jason Giambi and former St. Louis Cardinal Mark McGwire, to testify at a March 17 hearing.

A spokeswoman for Waxman said they don't know if the players will agree to attend. Commissioner Bud Selig also has been invited. A source said he wants more information before deciding whether to attend.

Robert Saunooke, Canseco's attorney, told the San Francisco Chronicle his client would appear if given immunity.

Canseco, in a recently released book, admits using steroids and alleges that he injected the drugs with McGwire and introduced steroids to other stars, including Rafael Palmeiro of the Baltimore Orioles. Palmeiro and others named by Canseco have denied using the drugs.

The Chronicle reported in December that Giambi told a federal grand jury in 2003 that he had used steroids.

Also on the invitation list are Palmeiro, Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, current Baltimore Orioles slugger Sammy Sosa and Frank Thomas of the Chicago White Sox. Conspicuously absent from the list is Barry Bonds, whose personal trainer has been implicated in steroid use as Bonds closes in on Henry Aaron's career home-run record.

At Boston's camp in Fort Myers, Fla., Schilling said he would consult with the players union.

The steroid scandal led baseball and the players union to agree to a new drug policy, which calls for more testing, additional banned performance-enhancing substances and a 10-day suspension for a first offense.

Several players on the Florida Marlins were tested on the first day the policy went into effect.

"I think most guys are relieved something's getting done so the majority don't get thrown into the mud because of the minority," third baseman Mike Lowell said in Jupiter, Fla.

Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Jeff Kent criticized the new policy, telling the Chronicle that testing should be supervised by an independent body, that amphetamines also should be banned and that penalties should be more along the lines of the Olympic movement, where first offenses generally merit a two-year ban.

"I'm disappointed with major-league baseball and the association for not implementing a plan that is completely solid," he said. "We need to prove to the fans that there's no question baseball should be clean and is clean, and we're not sending the right message with this policy."

Giambi begins comeback

Giambi walked twice and grounded out as the New York Yankees opened the exhibition season with a 2-2 tie against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Tampa.

"I'm excited to get out there, getting a chance to play and have positive at-bats," said Giambi, whose 2004 season was wrecked by injuries.

Fans in the sellout crowd of 10,041 cheered Giambi on the cool, gray afternoon.

"They've been unbelievably supportive, so that's exciting," Giambi said.

Notes

• In St. Petersburg, Fla., Alex Gonzalez had three hits, three runs batted in and made a spectacular diving grab in his first game at third base for Tampa Bay. The Devil Rays beat the Reds 7-3.

• In Phoenix, Aramis Ramirez hit a two-run homer off Joe Blanton as the Cubs beat the Athletics 2-1.

• In Surprise, Ariz., Mike Sweeney showed no lingering effects of the back problems that caused him to miss 110 games the past two seasons by going 3 for 3 for Kansas City as the Royals beat the Rangers 6-4.

• Mets reliever Felix Heredia was sent back to New York for tests after experiencing numbness in his pitching hand.

• The assault case against Orioles pitcher Sidney Ponson was postponed in Oranjestad, Aruba, and a judge gave both sides until May 10 to reach an out-of-court agreement.