RAGING ROCKET
Yankee GM Brian Cashman said Roger Clemens is itching to get back to the majors and pitch, and likened the Rocket to a raging bull being caged in.
But with one more minor-league tuneup in store _ Monday for Scranton _ and the huge Boston series looming next weekend, Cashman may just turn that raging bull loose on the archrival Red Sox, in Fenway no less.
“I consider him like a raging bull,” Cashman said of Clemens, who threw a bullpen session yesterday in Houston. “He’s a guy that understands the process and is included in the process and wants to come up here when he’s ready to help.
“But part of that process is we’ll evaluate him. I’ve sent some well-experienced eyes to see him pitch. Obviously, we brought him back for a reason: To try to help us. But all in due time. When it’s ready, then we’ll launch it. But you’ve got to go through the process. It’s hard to be ready, especially after two. We just feel he needs another turn.”
That turn will come Monday at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre against Toledo. If the 44-year-old Clemens comes out of that unscathed, there is a distinct possibility the seven-time Cy Young winner would make his first Yankee start this season at Fenway next Saturday or Sunday.
“I don’t want to say I’d rather it not be Fenway, because that means I don’t want him to pitch for us. I think well have to wait until the next start,” said Joe Torre, acutely aware of the circus Clemens’ returning at Fenway will surely cause. “Fenway, as they used to say in football, is piling on.
“I don’t think we necessarily need Fenway for it to be exciting. Although I can’t say it won’t be Fenway. If he seems to be ready and everybody that watches him says there’s nothing more he needs to show us, then there it is.”
What Clemens showed them in his last outing Wednesday night was so-so at best, allowing three runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings for Double-A Trenton with four walks, five strikeouts, a hit batter and a wild pitch. He did, however, throw 102 pitches, displaying stamina.
“(Wednesday) it seemed to be command. But what impreesed me was the amount of pitches he threw,” said Torre, put somewhat on the hot seat by George Steinbrenner’s latest eruption and in dire need of a boost for his Bombers.
One would think for the $28,000,022 one-year contract the Yanks showered on Clemens May 6 — not bad for a part-time, satellite employee — he’ll give them that. The question is when.
“I know he’s anxious to get up here and help us as soon as possible,” said Cashman. “He’s very respectful of the process and the people involved in the process. (Did I) nudge him? I know this: If we asked him to skip all these starts and don’t even bother with it, he’d do that. He’s the type, that’s part of his makeup.”
Whenever Clemens does return, Torre will have to determine how to fit him in the rotation. He’d prefer to do it in a way that doesn’t completely disrupt things, doesn’t force any of the other starters — creatures of habit — too far off their normal routine of every five days.
“I like to keep these guys on their days. We’re trying to get (Mike Mussina) straightened out. I don’t want them to get seven days off; that’s not healthy,” Torre said. “But if Roger’s ready, we certainly have to figure out a way where the inconvenience would be minimal and that involves everybody.
“He’s going to fit into a slot and be one of the starters; we just have to see what’s best for everybody.”
