Clemens Ready For Game 3

After throwing 49 pitches on Monday, Roger Clemens again tested his tweaked hamstring in Tampa today. From the LoHud Blog:

Roger Clemens threw 69 pitches in a simulated game in Tampa today, facing minor leaguers.

Assuming his left hamstring feels fine today when he gets to Cleveland, Clemens will start Game 3 in New York on Sunday.

There will be no word on the roster today. The Yankees are carrying a few extra pitchers and the final decisions will be made tomorrow.

Joe Torre appeared on WFAN radio, confirming Clemens came through his bullpen well. Torre continued to play with the idea of Johnny Damon starting in leftfield and Hideki Matsui falling into the DH spot. Matsui has been bothered by a bum knee which needed to be drained of fluid over the weekend.

Ian Kennedy may well become available should the Yankees move on to the ALCS, but he is currently working out and making preparations for his October 6th wedding. Though Torre again insinuated Mike Mussina would start Game 4, the manager did not proclaim Phil Hughes a part of the postseason bullpen just yet.