"I made a mistake, and now I know how serious of a mistake that I made for not answering a questions about another teammate. I take responsibility ... and I'm very sorry for what happened. I'm sorry to my family, to the Congress, to the Houston Astros, the Orioles, the major leagues."

At that point, Tejada's voice cracked as he paused to control himself.

"Take your time. It's OK," Tejada's attorney, Mark Tuohey, whispered to him.

After several seconds, Tejada continued.

"And all the fans in baseball," he said. "And I really apologize because I don't want to be in this situation. I apologize to the whole United States, because this country gave me the opportunity to be who I am. And the last thing that I want to do is let this country down. I hope they forgive me. Thank you to the Houston Astros to support me. And to all my fans in the Dominican Republic, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for what just happened."

--RHP Jose Valverde, who led the majors in saves in 2007 while with the Diamondbacks, led the National League with 44 saves last season for the Astros. He's set to become a free agent next winter, and he's eager to put together a stellar season in 2009. He will not pitch for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.

"I have to prepare myself well because I'm a free agent next year," he said. "By staying here, they're checking me here and are more informed of all the work that I'm doing. If I'm in the Classic, they don't see me. ... But I'm ready. I'm focused on my job. The vacation is over."

--RHP Geoff Geary, who had sports hernia surgery in October, was on his regular pitching schedule at the start of camp.

--OF Brian Bogusevic signed a one-year, $400,000 contract. Bogusevic, 24, is a former left-handed pitcher selected by the Astros in the first round of the 2005 draft. He salvaged his minor league career last season when he was switched to the outfield, hitting .371 (46-for-124) with 20 RBIs and three home runs in 42 games at Class AA Corpus Christi.

--The Astros reached a one-year, $400,000 contract agreement with LHP Gilbert De La Vara, 24, who was taken in the Rule 5 draft from the Royals in December. He split time between Class A Wilmington and Class AA Northwest Arkansas last season, going 6-3 with a 3.27 ERA over 44 relief appearances and one start.

--OF Michael Bourn, who enters camp as the starting center fielder, reached a agreement on a one-year, $434,500 contract. Bourn, 26, hit .229 (107-for-467) with 41 stolen bases in 138 games for Houston in 2008.

In the Dominican winter league this offseason, he hit .314 (32-for-102) with 11 RBIs and a .402 on-base percentage in 25 games.

--RHP Sammy Gervacio and LHP Polin Trinidad, both of whom will try to impress this spring in hopes of earning a bullpen spot later in the year, signed one-year, $400,000 contracts.

--LHP Wesley Wright, the Astros' rookie of the year in 2008, signed a one-year, $425,000 contract. Wright went 4-3 with a 5.01 ERA and one save in 71 relief outings. He struck out 57 in 55 2/3 innings.

Wright, a 2007 Rule 5 draft pick, led all major league rookies in appearances.

BY THE NUMBERS: 1 -- Apologies from Miguel Tejada to the baseball world for lying to Congress.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "He's a big part of what we do. He is the stabilizer. He is the anchor. That's great that he wants to be here and be a part of this and not be concerned with going to pitch over there. He's committed to us and our season, and that's great. Not that it's not important to pitch for the WBC, but that shows his commitment here. He looks in pretty good shape, too. Yeah, great shape. You can tell he's pretty excited." -- Manager Cecil Cooper, on closer Jose Valverde's decision to not play in the World Baseball Classic for the Dominican Republic.