Astros Are Set to Contact Clemens’ Agents Today

The Houston Astros, eligible to re-sign Roger Clemens again starting today, plan to contact the agents for the seven-time Cy Young Award winner.

“This opens up a window of opportunity for us,” General Manager Tim Purpura said Sunday. “We have said that we are interested in getting Roger back. We would love to have him be a part of our team.”

Clemens spent the last two seasons with his hometown Astros, winning the National League Cy Young Award in 2004 and recording the best earned-run average in the major leagues last year. He pitched for the United States in the World Baseball Classic in March and though he considers himself retired, he hasn’t ruled out returning.

Houston, Boston, the New York Yankees and Texas are interested in signing the 43-year-old right-hander.

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Oakland outfielder Milton Bradley was out of the starting lineup for the third consecutive game because of a sore left knee, and Manager Ken Macha said Bradley also has some pain in his lower right side. There were no immediate plans to put Bradley on the disabled list, Macha said.

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New York Yankee slugger Gary Sheffield did not start Sunday against Toronto because his left hand was sore after a collision with Blue Jay first baseman Shea Hillenbrand the previous day.

“We’re going to look into it a little bit and do some tests,” Manager Joe Torre said.

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The Baltimore Orioles put second baseman Brian Roberts on the 15-day disabled list and recalled infielder Brandon Fahey from triple-A Ottawa.... The Atlanta Braves activated reliever Macay McBride from the disabled list and optioned infielder Tony Pena to triple-A Richmond.... Infielder Mark DeRosa was activated from the 15-day disabled list by the Texas Rangers, who optioned outfielder Adam Hyzdu to triple-A Oklahoma.... Minnesota put designated hitter Ruben Sierra on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained left biceps and recalled pitcher Dennys Reyes from triple-A Rochester.... Seattle put right-hander Julio Mateo on the 15-day disabled list and recalled right-hander Sean Green from triple-A Tacoma.