Return of the Rocket

Houston, we have liftoff! The Astros and ESPN are reporting that Roger Clemens' retirement will be officially put on hold — again — much to the dismay of batters and Yankee, Ranger and Red Sox fans.

Clemens will be paid a pro-rated salary of $22 million, so when he returns to the Astros around June 22, he'll get just under $13 million for the rest of year — approximately $3.25 million each month of his four-month contract. ESPN is also reporting that Clemens is signing a minor-league contract for now, so he can make three minor-league tuneup starts without being formally optioned to the minors. His prorated minor-league salary is $322,000 per year — not bad, huh? Sounds like Clemens is doing well at both ends of the deal.

Clemens' three minor-league starts will be June 6 for Lexington (pitching to his son, Koby — how convenient), June 11 for Double-A Corpus Christi and June 16 for Triple-A Round Rock.

Photo by flickr user kftheang