Clemens

HOUSTON — Roger Clemens is prepared for his 2006 major league debut tonight against the Minnesota Twins just 23 days and three minor league starts after rejoining the Houston Astros.

But the 43-year-old seven-time Cy Young winner doesn't think the return would have been possible if not for one little reason — his son Koby's injured pinky finger.

Playing in the World Baseball Classic, followed by Koby returning home after the injury forced him into more intense training during his off time than he would have done otherwise.

"I don't know if I'd be here today," he said. "I don't know if I would have made that commitment because I advanced a little bit farther. It was somewhat of my spring training."

His first start comes exactly eight months after his last major league appearance, when he left Game 1 of the World Series with a strained hamstring.

Clemens, who wears jersey No. 22, re-signed with the Astros for a one-year contract worth $22,000,022 to play his 23rd major league season. Since he's joining the team late, he'll get a percentage of that amount — about $12.25 million.

In his Class-A start for the Lexington Legends, where he played alongside Koby, he allowed an early home run then struck out six and walked none in three innings. In act two at Double-A Corpus Christi he struck out 11 to tie a team record for strikeouts and in his Triple-A start Friday, he allowed three runs and struck out five in 5 2-3 innings.

Clemens said he knows his pitch count will be watched carefully by Astros manager Phil Garner and pitching coach Jim Hickey. He hopes to last between 100-110 pitches.

"I'm going to try to be as honest as I can with them on how I feel," Clemens said. "I've done the work to prepare myself. I think my arm is where I want it to be. My legs, I still think I can get a little more endurance and stamina there."