NEW YORK, May 23 (UPI) -- Veteran righthander Roger Clemens intended to make his next start, which is scheduled for Monday against his former team, the Boston Red Sox.
Now, he has been cleared to do so.
Clemens, on the brink of becoming the 21st pitcher to record 300 career wins, took a line drive off the back of his pitching hand during the sixth inning of his 4-2 win over the Red Sox at Fenway Park.
In that contest, in which he got victory No. 299, Clemens stayed in the game and struck out Doug Mirabelli to end the inning, then was lifted.
The 6-4, 238-pounder, who now is 40 years old, underwent an MRI at Beth Israel Hospital, which revealed only a bone bruise. Initially, the extent of the injury was inconclusive.
"There's a little swelling but less swelling than yesterday," Clemens said. "The soreness that I have is expected. I have total movement. When I spread my hand, I feel it in the joints."
"Obviously the news about Roger is very good news, especially with the way the day had gone," said General Manager Brian Cashman.
"He'll pitch Monday, but it depends on how the bullpen works," New York Manager Joe Torre told the New York Times. "(Friday) He'll throw his bullpen, and I'm assuming everything will be OK, but I'm reserving judgment. If it's swollen and sore, I don't think it makes much sense to pitch him on Monday. I sense that nobody wants him to go out there at less than 100 percent."
Clemens (6-2) worked six innings Wednesday night, allowing two runs and nine hits while striking out seven against his former team. He now is 6-0 on the road this season.
On Memorial Day, the six-time Cy Young Award winner will try to make history, and improve to 8-2 lifetime against Boston.
"It ranks up there with the rest of my wins, I guess," Clemens said. "I can't sit here and tell you how great a win I think it was for our club, let alone help me approach a milestone. I can't tell you how many times I've been struck (by a ball) on my body."
