BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJORS : Clemens Strong in Triple-A Start

Roger Clemens gave up one hit over five innings and struck out five in his final rehabilitation start at triple-A Pawtucket, R.I., before he joins the Boston Red Sox rotation for the first time this season. The three-time Cy Young Award winner, who strained a muscle in his right shoulder during spring training, threw 81 pitches--46 for strikes--and hit 95 m.p.h. on the faster of two radar guns as Pawtucket beat Syracuse, 4-3. Clemens is scheduled to start Friday against Seattle.

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Philadelphia reliever Norm Charlton said that he didn’t even have a headache after getting smacked in the head by a line drive Saturday. “It’s lucky it didn’t hit me in a worse area,” said Charlton, who walked off the field bleeding from his forehead after the incident in the seventh inning of the Phillies’ 5-4 victory in 10 innings. His assessment was echoed by team doctor Phillip Marone, who said Charlton had a fracture of the frontal sinus but should recover fully.

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The Kansas City Royals recalled infielder Jose Mota from triple-A Omaha, making him the third former replacement player to be added to a major league roster. Mota, the son of former Dodger Manny Mota, joined Milwaukee Brewer pitcher Ron Rightnowar and Boston outfielder Ron Mahay--who was sent to double-A Trenton Friday night--as former replacements who have been called up. Mota has played in 17 major league games, all with the San Diego Padres in 1991.