Posted on 06/07/2007 12:30:11 PM PDT by John Cena
TAMPA, Fla. -- Roger Clemens threw a total of 62 pitches in a workout on Wednesday as he aimed for a Saturday debut with the New York Yankees against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
What's in store for Roger Clemens, once he finally takes the mound for the Yankees? Page 2's Jim Caple takes a look in his crystal ball. Story
In the workout at the Yankees' spring training complex in Tampa, Clemens threw 8 practice pitches and 54 to right and left-handed hitters, none with any velocity.
"Everything today went well," Clemens said. "I have a short downhill training session tomorrow and then I should be locked in and ready to go. The weakness that came from the scar tissue has so far dispersed. Today's bullpen session was a little more intense than a regular side session. Normally, I would throw about 60 percent, but today I threw closer to 80 percent."
Clemens also took part in a short fielding session before jogging around the area outside the complex.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman arrived about 40 minutes after Clemens finished throwing and the pair talked inside the facility.
"The way you can win is to be able to control the game," manager Joe Torre said in Chicago. "The way to control the game is through pitching. To have Roger be a part of that mix is important. If he gives us five, six innings -- whatever it is -- we're going to have to make due with that."
The 44-year-old right-hander originally planned to start Monday night at the Chicago White Sox. He scratched himself from the outing last Saturday because of what the Yankees said then was a "fatigued'' groin, an injury he first felt during a minor-league outing May 28. An MRI exam Monday showed Clemens had a scar tissue injury in the right groin.
If Clemens is added to the major league roster on Saturday, he would earn $17,442,637 this season and cost the Yankees $6,977,054 in luxury tax, a total of $24,419,691. Clemens agreed May 6 to a one-year contract worth $28,000,022 -- the last two digits matching his uniform number -- but only gets paid his major league salary once he is on the big league roster.
Torre said he's not worried about high expectations of the likely Hall of Famer.
"They're going to be what they are, because of his status and where he's going when he does decide to pack it in," he said. "That's followed him no matter where he's gone. We know, basically, what we need from him."
(and yet they may still beat the Yanks. )
They had a Bobble head night for Adam LaRoche...but they couldnt give away a bobblehead that only bobbles 20% of the time.
The Buccos will break your heart everytime.
You’re a litte bitter against Clemens & The Yankees, aren’t ya? ;)
I wouldn’t say that.
In the 21st century they have been more like the Homer Simpson of baseball than like the Yank-offs of the 20th century.
Gotta love that Curse of the A-Rod and the Curse of the Hildebeast.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.