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| Roger Clemens' oldest son, Koby, served as his catcher on Friday. (US Presswire) |
Roger Clemens told ESPN that he won't join the Astros this season but does hope to join the team in spring training.
"I hope to end up in February [in spring training] with the Astros and help those kids," Clemens told ESPN. "That's probably next."
Speaking after his second start for the independent Sugar Land Skeeters, Clemens was asked if he would pitch again this year.
"Not this year," he told ESPN. "I'm not going to rule anything out."
Clemens, who recently turned 50, was also asked what he would say if Astros owner Jim Crane called him and asked him to pitch.
"I'd listen, but I have to do some work again," Clemens said. "I don't think I'm close to pitching in a major league game."
Clemens threw 4 2/3 scoreless innings on Friday for the Skeeters against the Long Island Ducks. He allowed two hits and recorded a strikeout while pitching to his oldest son, Koby. The 25-year-old Koby Clemens was recently released by the Blue Jays so he could catch his father.
In two starts with the Skeeters, Clemens has pitched eight innings, allowing no runs and three hits with three strikeouts and no walks.
Despite any intention to play again, he will still be on the Hall of Fame ballot when it's sent out to voters in December. He would have to pitch in a major league game before he would be taken off, BBWAA secretary/treasurer Jack O'Connell said in an email to CBSSports.com.
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