Off the wire

LITTLE ROCK — CLEMENS TRIAL Segui may testify

Prosecutors finally have some momentum in their perjury case against Roger Clemens, even if it means dragging in former major-leaguer David Segui, a witness who is apparently so reluctant to testify that the judge threatened from the bench: “If he doesn’t show up, he’ll be arrested like anyone else.” U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton indicated Wednesday he was leaning heavily toward allowing prosecutors to call Segui and another witness to counter an overall impression left by Clemens’ lawyers during the 6-week-old trial. Segui is expected to say that sometime around 2001 he was told by Clemens’ strength coach, Brian McNamee, that Mc-Namee had saved evidence from injections of players to placate a nagging wife. That would be consistent with McNamee’s testimony last week that he kept waste from an alleged steroids injection of Clemens in 2001 and stored it in a beer can to soothe things over athome. McNamee’s wife, according to McNamee, was concerned that he would become the fall guy if his involvement with drugs in baseball were ever exposed. But there is a catch. Prosecutor Courtney Saleski said Segui, who retired in 2004 after 15 major-league seasons, “doesn’t want to come” even though he’s under subpoena. Judge Walton’s response: “You just tell him if he’s under subpoena, he’d better be here.” Or else, added the judge, “he’d better be on the run because the marshals will be after him.” BASEBALL

Matt Carpenter heads to DL

The St. Louis Cardinals put utilityman Matt Carpenter on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday because of a strained right side muscle. Carpenter was batting .288 with 3 home runs and 20 RBIin 39 games with most of his starts at first base in place of injured Lance Berkman. Carpenter is the fifth player the team has put on the DL this week, following Jon Jay, Allen Craig, Kyle McClellan and Berkman. St. Louis has seven players on the DL altogether. Carpenter was hurt coming out of the batter’s box on a double in the first inningTuesday. The Cardinals purchased the contract of catcher Steven Hill from Class AAA Memphis. Hill, 27, also has started at first base, left field and right field, and homered in consecutive games Sunday and Monday.

Torii Hunter (Pine Bluff) is expected to rejoin the Los Angeles Angels when they return from theircurrent trip, but Manager Mike Scioscia said he still isn’t sure when during the homestand that might be. The outfielder has been on the Angels’ restricted list since May 14 after Hunter’s teenage son was arrested in Texas. Darius Mc-Clinton-Hunter, 17, is one of five youths arrested in a sexual assault case, which police said followed a monthlong investigation.

A team of consultants is recommending that the Astrodome in Houston be turned into a multipurpose facility that could host sporting events and massive exhibitions, while also preserving the iconic structure’s outer shell. The $270 million option was one of four considered by consultants led by Dallas-based CSL. The other options included leaving the vacant stadium alone, demolishing it and building an outdoor plaza, or building a massive “renaissance” complex. In a presentation to Harris County’s sports and convention wing, the consultants said the multipurpose option could turn Houston into a popular destination forspecial events and national trade shows. The recommendation goes to the Harris County commissioners, who can take up the matter at their next capital projects meeting in June.

HOCKEY Finnish star signs with Wild

Finnish star forward Mikael Granlund has signed his contract with the Minnesota Wild and will join the offensively challenged team for training camp. Granlund announced the news on the Wild’s website Wednesday. The Wild selected the flashy scorer with the ninth overall draft pick in 2010. He signed a three-year deal after scoring 20 goals in 45 games for HIFK Helsinki in the Finnish elite league. Granlund, 20, will be counted on to step in right away and boost the Wild’s offensive output. Minnesota ranked last in goals per game last season with an average of just 2.02.

MOTOR SPORTS Wallace heads NASCAR Hall of Fame group

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Sprint Cup champion Rusty Wallace hated running second to anyone and doesn’t plan to start now that he’s part of the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Wallace, the 1989 series champion who won 55 races, headed the group of five picked Wednesday as NASCAR’s newest Hall of Famers. The others selected were Leonard Wood, Herb Thomas, Cotton Owens and Buck Baker.

Wood was a famed member of the Wood Brothers teams whose brother, Glen, was picked for the hall last year. Thomas was one of NASCAR’s first superstardrivers, Owens was a success as a driver and owner, and Baker is 14th on the victory list with 46.

Baker, who died in 2002, earned the ninth victory of his career in the inaugural race held at Memphis-Arkansas Speedway near West Memphis in 1954.

But it was Wallace, the sharptongue, quick-witted driver turned TV analyst, who promised to keep promoting the sport and the hall to anyone who’ll listen.

“I can tell you what, I’m not going to run second to Darrell Waltrip. I can tell you that,” Wallace said.

NASCAR chairman Brian France said the fourth class wasthe hardest so far to select. Voters said there was a divide between those panelists eager to honor the sports’ pioneers and those understanding what a personality like Wallace could do for the Hall and NASCAR’s continued growth.

“We need people who canrepresent the Hall of Fame now,” Hall of Fame member and voter Ned Jarrett said.

Still, Wallace was third among inductees at 52 percent of the vote behind Thomas and Wood, who received 57 percent. Owens was next at 50 percent, with Baker and Fireball Roberts tying at 39 percent. A re-vote wasdone - the first time that’s happened in four Hall of Fame classes - and Baker took the final spot.

Wallace said he was honored to be nominated and was comfortable waiting his turn behind others.

“I’m totally surprised. I really am,” he said. “I was like, ‘I made it?’ I don’t know if I’m going to sleep tonight.”

Wallace is ninth on the career victories list. He was a master of the short tracks with 25 of his victories coming at Bristol, Martinsville, North Wilkesboro and Richmond.

“I’m just humbled, I really am,” he said.