AL Wire Notes | Investigator has questions for Canseco

The federal government's top steroid investigator has asked to meet with Jose Canseco to speak to the former slugger about Roger Clemens.

Canseco's lawyer, Robert Saunooke, told The Associated Press on Sunday that IRS agent Jeff Novitzky called him last week and said he wanted to discuss a photograph that allegedly shows Clemens at a pool party at Canseco's home in 1998.

The meeting would likely happen within the next 30 days, Saunooke said.

"There's no urgency or rush on anyone's part," he said.

Novitzky had hoped to meet with Canseco this week while the former AL MVP was in California to sign copies of his latest book, "Vindicated," Saunooke said.

Brian McNamee, Clemens' former trainer, has said Clemens spoke with Canseco at the pool party and soon after approached the trainer about using performance-enhancing drugs.

Clemens has said he didn't attend the party.

Boston: Second-year OF Jacoby Ellsbury from Oregon State improved to 4 for 6 in his career against Roy Halladay when he homered off Toronto's ace.

Chicago: LHP Mark Buerhle rebounded from being tagged for seven runs on opening day, holding Detroit to two runs in seven innings. He was helped by double plays in each of his last four innings.

Cleveland: 3B Casey Blake did not play against Oakland. Blake, who hit .270 with 18 homers and 78 RBI in 2007, is batting .118 and is 1 for 11 lifetime against Joe Blanton, who started for the A's.

Detroit: OF Curtis Granderson can start working out today after the Tigers determined his broken right hand had healed sufficiently. DH Gary Sheffield was in the lineup for the first time since tearing a finger tendon on Thursday, and 3B Miguel Cabrera returned after straining a quadriceps on Wednesday.

Kansas City: OF David DeJesus still hasn't played since leaving the season opener with an ankle injury.

Los Angeles: RHP Scot Shields, who came off the disabled list on Saturday, pitched the eighth inning and gave up a leadoff single before retiring the next three Texas batters.

Minnesota: The Twins have scored more than four runs only once and have hit into 11 double plays this season.

New York: Manager Joe Girardi was back after missing two games with an illness. The Yankees were 0-2 with bench coach Rob Thomson taking Girardi's place.

Oakland: RHP Joe Blanton (0-2) remained winless in three starts after losing to Cleveland. The A's have scored only one run in each of his last two starts. ... OF Travis Buck is 0 for 21 this season.

Texas: RHP Vicente Padilla gave the Rangers their fifth quality start in six games. The team's starters have a 2.30 earned-run average.

Toronto: Frank Thomas' grand slam against Boston was the 515th home run of his career.

Seattle Times news services