Clemens Pushes Back His Debut With Yankees

New York Yankees pitcher Roger Clemens speaks to a Yankees fans who gathered to watch the telecast of the baseball game between the Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays telecast Wednesday, May 30, 2007 at Bryant Park in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) (Frank Franklin Ii - AP)

Roger Clemens's season debut with the Yankees has been delayed, as he was scratched from tomorrow's start against the White Sox because of a fatigued right groin.

Clemens first experienced the pain during his last minor league outing, for Class AAA Scranton on Monday. Rather than risk additional injury, he decided to be cautious, the Yankees confirmed yesterday.

"Roger has kept us informed," New York Manager Joe Torre said. "He wasn't sure yesterday that it was going to keep him from starting, and today we got the news that he's going to need some extra time."

The injury is not believed to be serious. It is not clear when Clemens will pitch, but he will miss the four-game series at Chicago.

Kei Igawa likely will start instead.

The 44-year-old, seven-time Cy Young Award winner came out of retirement to take a prorated share of a $28 million salary to help New York overcome a double-digit deficit in the AL East. After one start at Class A Tampa and one at Class AA Trenton, Clemens made his final minor league start on Monday, working six scoreless innings. . . .

In other Yankees' news, RHP Scott Proctor was told he won't be suspended for hitting Red Sox IF Kevin Youkilis-- the fifth hit batsman in Friday night's game.

Torre said before yesterday's game he got the news from GM Brian Cashman, and Proctor pitched in yesterday's 11-6 loss to Boston.

· ERSTAD THANKFUL: White Sox OF Darin Erstad feels lucky that he wasn't seriously injured after spraining his left ankle on Thursday.

Erstad fell awkwardly after swinging and missing on a pitch from Blue Jays RHP Roy Halladay.

"I feel like I caught a break," Erstad said before yesterday's game. "From what I felt and what I heard, it didn't look good."

Erstad was worried that he had broken the ankle, but X-rays were negative. He went on the 15-day disabled list on Friday.

White Sox Manager Ozzie Guillen said he expects Erstad to be healthy within 15 days, but Erstad was more cautious.

"I'm not going to start putting timetables on stuff," he said. "When it's ready, it's ready. I'll just follow what the trainers have me doing."

Chicago already has two outfielders on the disabled list. Scott Podsednik has been out since April 16 with a strained right abductor and Pablo Ozuna fractured his right fibula on May 28.

-- From News Services