Game 1 won't be last start for legendary Clemens

	Early signs point to Roger Clemens coming back to the Astros for 2006. AP
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The 2005 World Series will not be the last time Roger Clemens pitches. The seven-time Cy Young Award winner has committed to pitch in the inaugural World Baseball Classic next March for the United States team, where he is expected to be a teammate of seven-time MVP Barry Bonds. Based on early commitments, Major League Baseball and the Players Association expect a star-studded field that is likely to include Mike Piazza playing for Italy.

Clemens, 43, has made no final decision yet on whether he will pitch for the Houston Astros next season, though those close to him interpret his willingness to be in pitching shape for the World Baseball Classic as a natural lead-in to a 23rd major league season. Moreover, Clemens may have the opportunity to play with his son, Koby, next season in spring training. Koby, a minor leaguer in the Houston organization, is expected to receive a non-roster invitation to the Astros' major league camp.

According to one major league baseball source and one club source, Bonds agreed to play in the Classic -- as long as his health permits, especially his troublesome knees -- upon being asked by Bobby Bonilla of the Players Association, his former Pittsburgh Pirates teammate. Bonilla has been an important recruiter for the association in putting the teams together. "Bobby is one of his closest friends in the world and he'll do just about anything for him," the team source said.

Other players who have extended early commitments to play include Pedro Martinez (again, health permitting) and Albert Pujols for the Dominican Republic team, Ivan Rodriguez and Carlos Beltran for Puerto Rico. The tournament relies on established eligibility standards in each country. Italy's baseball federation allows for parental heritage as a consideration of eligibility.

In addition, the MLB source said Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui are expected to play for Japan, though those arrangements have yet to be completely finalized.

Fifteen nations and the commonwealth of Puerto Rico will compete in the event, which is divided into four four-team pools. The winners and runners-up from each pool advance to a second round on each side of the bracket, with the winners and runners-up from that round advancing to the semifinals.

According to the tentative schedule, Italy is scheduled to play in a pool with Australia, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, which could match up Piazza against Martinez, his Mets teammate this season.

The United States will be in a pool with Canada, Mexico and South Africa in a half of the bracket that also includes a pool of four Asian teams: China, Chinese Taipei, Korea and Japan. The Americans would not face any of the Latin American teams, including Cuba, until a possible championship game matchup.

Clemens left his World Series Game 1 start Saturday after only two innings with a strained left hamstring. He continued to receive treatment on the leg yesterday. The Astros have not ruled him out as their Game 5 starter. Ezequiel Astacio and Wandy Rodriguez have been mentioned as possible replacements.

Astros teammate Andy Pettitte said Monday that one option the team is considering is pitching Pettitte on short rest in Game 5, if necessary, and allowing Clemens two extra days of rest for a possible Game 6 start. Pettitte, though, admitted he is somewhat fatigued from his first full season after elbow surgery. "I'm feeling it," said Pettitte, who was removed from Game 2 Sunday after throwing 98 pitches in six innings.

"I'll do whatever they want," Pettitte said. "The way I look at it is I have one more start, whenever it is, and then I'm looking forward to the rest."