Roger Clemens' denial of steroid use warrants further investigation, Congress said yesterday in asking the Justice Department to determine whether the star pitcher lied under oath in testimony to a House committee.

House Oversight and Government Reform Committee chairman Henry Waxman and ranking Republican Tom Davis sent a letter to Attorney General Michael Mukasey, urging more scrutiny of Clemens' statements in a Feb. 5 sworn deposition and at a Feb. 13 public hearing where he said he "never used anabolic steroids or human growth hormone."

"That testimony is directly contradicted by the sworn testimony of Brian McNamee, who testified that he personally injected Mr. Clemens with anabolic steroids and human growth hormone," the congressmen wrote.

Clemens declined to comment yesterday at the Houston Astros' spring training camp in Kissimmee, Fla.

ELSEWHERE

Cubs: Second baseman Mark DeRosa will undergo a heart procedure in Chicago today to correct an irregular heartbeat. Team doctor Stephen Adams said DeRosa is expected to return to Arizona on Sunday and be ready to play in spring training games by March 8.

Cardinals: Utilityman Scott Spiezio was cut by St. Louis yesterday, after he was charged in a six-count complaint involving drunken driving and assault in a December car crash. The Orange County (Calif.) district attorney charged Spiezio with misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence, driving under the influence with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or more, hit and run, aggravated assault, assault and battery.

Rays: AL strikeout leader Scott Kazmir will be sidelined for at least two weeks of spring training because of an elbow strain, although the Tampa Bay left-hander remains confident he'll be ready for opening day. The Rays said yesterday that an MRI did not reveal a serious injury.