Giambi to meet Mitchell panel on doping

New York Yankees' Jason Giambi follows through on his solo home run against the Texas Rangers during the fourth inning of their MLB American League baseball game in Arlington, Texas, May 3, 2007.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Yankees slugger Jason Giambi has agreed to be interviewed as part of former Senator George Mitchell's probe into use of performance-enhancing substances in Major League Baseball, MLB announced Thursday.

Giambi's cooperation with the Mitchell investigation was sought after he indicated in an interview published by USA Today on May 18 that he had used performance-enhancing drugs.

Baseball commissioner Bud Selig had warned Giambi he could face disciplinary action if he refused to be interviewed by the Mitchell investigation, which has so far been rebuffed by current players.

"Two weeks ago I asked Mr. Giambi to submit to an interview with Senator Mitchell and I am pleased that Mr. Giambi has agreed to do so," Selig said in a statement Thursday.

"Mr. Giambi has informed me in a phone conversation that he is willing to discuss with Senator Mitchell his personal involvement with performance-enhancing substances.

"His willingness to do this is an important step forward in Senator Mitchell's continued efforts to provide me with a comprehensive report."

Giambi said in a statement that he decided to cooperate in order to put the matter to rest and focus on rehabilitating his injury and getting back on the field to help the Yankees.

"I will continue to do what I think is right and be candid about my past history regarding steroids. I have never blamed anyone nor intended to deflect blame for my conduct.

"I will address my own personal history regarding steroids. I will not discuss in any fashion any other individual," he said.

Giambi, who is on the disabled list with a foot injury, was quoted in USA Today as saying: "I was wrong for doing that stuff.

"What we should have done a long time ago was stand up - players, ownership, everybody - and said: 'We made a mistake.'"

"Steroids and all of that was a part of history. But it was a topic that everybody wanted to avoid. Nobody wanted to talk about it."

Testimony by Giambi to a federal grand jury investigating the BALCO steroid ring was leaked to the San Francisco Chronicle in 2004, including an admission he had used performance-enhancing drugs.

Selig said Giambi's interview would be scheduled soon.

"Once the interview process has concluded, I will take Mr. Giambi's level of cooperation into account in determining appropriate further action," he said in the statement.