Clemens asks appeals court to revive defamation claims against ex-trainer

Clemens asks court to revive defamation claims

NEW ORLEANS — Roger Clemens is asking a federal appeals court to revive part of the defamation case he filed against his former personal trainer over claims the ex-major leaguer used steroids and human growth hormone.

Clemens appealed after a federal judge in Houston dismissed many of his claims against Brian McNamee in February 2009. A three-judge panel from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans is scheduled to hear the case on Wednesday.

Clemens says U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison erroneously ruled McNamee is entitled to immunity for statements he made to baseball investigator George Mitchell.

Clemens denied ever using performance-enhancing drugs when he testified under oath to Congress in 2008, but he is under investigation for possible perjury charges.