Friday, August 02, 2002
Clemens throws seven innings in rehabilitation start
Baseball notebook
The Associated Press
NORWICH, Conn. - Roger Clemens pitched seven strong innings Thursday for the Double-A Norwich Navigators in his second rehabilitation start before rejoining the New York Yankees.
Clemens, recovering from a groin injury, threw 80 pitches, 61 for strikes. He struck out seven, walked none and retired his last 10 batters.
He gave up one run and five hits and struck out seven as Norwich lost to Binghamton 1-0.
“I'm glad I'm healthy,” the six-time Cy Young Award winner said. “I'm ready. Hopefully, now I've shown everybody that I'm healthy enough to get back in there and get back with the big guys and make it count.”
Clemens will be re-evaluated today by the Yankees' team physician and he also will meet with a foot specialist in New York to check out inflammation in a toe. Clemens said that if it's necessary, he will get an anti-inflammatory injection when he meets with the foot specialist.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said he thinks Clemens could return to the rotation sometime next week.
“We don't want to run anybody out there that's not ready,” he said. “I think it was productive to have Roger do the second start. I think he showed what he can do. Mentally and physically he's ready. Based on today, it's in Joe and Mel's hands when to slot him in.”
WHITE SOX: The Chicago White Sox recalled left-handed pitcher Mike Porzio from Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday.
Porzio, who filled the roster spot left open when Chicago traded right-hander Bob Howry to the Boston Red Sox, was with the White Sox from opening day until May 17. With the White Sox, he was 1-0 with a 7.36 ERA in 10 games.
PHILLIES: Philadelphia pitcher Robert Person will have arthroscopic surgery to repair a small tear in his right shoulder Tuesday.
Person, who went on the 15-day disabled list on July 23, could miss the rest of the season because of the injury, the Phillies said Wednesday.
Person, expected to be the Phillies ace coming into the season, is 4-5 with a 5.44 ERA in 16 starts.
CARDINALS: St. Louis optioned right-hander Travis Smith to Triple-A Memphis on Thursday, a day after one of his worst starts.
To take Smith's spot on the roster, the Cards recalled right-handed rookie Kevin Joseph from Memphis. Joseph was 1-1 with two saves and a 1.99 ERA for Memphis.
Smith, who is 4-2 with a 7.17 ERA, allowed six runs in 1 1-3 innings Wednesday against the Florida Marlins, raising his road ERA to 10.09 in nine games.
RED SOX: Boston released Jose Offerman on Thursday to make room for Cliff Floyd and must pay the first baseman more than $4.1 million that remains on his contract.
Offerman reacted angrily when general manager Mike Port informed him of the decision. Offerman also yelled a profanity at reporters who were in the clubhouse, blaming them in part for his release, and threw equipment.
“Why didn't you tell me when I was in Los Angeles?” Offerman screamed at Port, who delayed the announcement until the team was in Texas in case Floyd could not join the team Thursday.
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Clemens throws seven innings in rehabilitation start
