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Rocket To Get Shot In The Arm

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The Associated Press

Published: September 5, 2007

NEW YORK - Roger Clemens walked onto the field, dressed in full pinstripes, and stood alongside his New York Yankees' teammates behind home plate for a team photo Tuesday. He hopes to rejoin them in games soon.

The Rocket will have a cortisone shot today on his ailing right elbow and is confident he will be able to pitch again this season. But he also hinted that the injury is more serious than the diagnosis of 'inflammation' in his right elbow that was announced by the team.

Clemens' start was cut short after four innings Monday in New York's 7-1 loss to Seattle, and he had an MRI exam after the game. He thought the elbow problem stemmed from a blister on his foot that caused him to alter his mechanics.

The seven-time Cy Young Award winner never before has had a cortisone shot to his arm. He will fly to Houston and be examined by Astros team physician Thomas Mehlhoff.

While the Yankees said a shot was possible, Clemens said he will have one.

'I'm very optimistic. Even if it takes multiple sessions, I'm willing to deal with that,' Clemens said.
Manager Joe Torre said Mike Mussina will take Clemens' turn this weekend at Kansas City. For now, Torre is expecting Clemens will miss just one turn.

BREWERS: Hoping to stabilize their struggling bullpen, Milwaukee acquired LHP Ray King from the Nationals in exchange for a player to be named.

King was 1-1 with a 4.54 ERA in 55 appearances for the Nationals this season. The 33-year-old played for the Brewers from 2000-02, and is expected to join the team today.

DODGERS: Los Angeles activated infielder Nomar Garciaparra off the 15-day DL.

Garciaparra, who went on the DL on Aug. 14 with a strained left calf, said he would be available to pinch hit Tuesday night against the Cubs.

PADRES: Seeking a possible fifth starter, the team signed veteran right-hander Brett Tomko.

Tomko went 2-11 with a 5.80 ERA in 33 games, including 15 starts, for Los Angeles. The club designated him for assignment Aug. 24 to make room in the rotation for David Wells.

PHILLIES: Philadelphia claimed catcher Pete LaForest off waivers from San Diego and recalled right-handers Geoff Geary and John Ennis from Triple-A Ottawa.

LaForest, the former Devil Ray, played in 10 games for the Padres this year, hitting .360 with one homer and three RBIs.

RED SOX: Clay Buchholz's next appearance will have more to do with Jonathan Papelbon than Johnny Vander Meer.

The Red Sox rookie, who threw a no-hitter in just his second major league start, will pitch out of the bullpen for the near future, manager Terry Francona said Tuesday. So instead of trying to match Vander Meer's record with back-to-back no-hitters, he'll likely be setting up save opportunities for Papelbon.

Francona left open the possibility that Buchholz will get another start this season.

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