Crane says Clemens may pitch for Astros this year

(AP) Astros owner Jim Crane says there's a possibility 50-year-old Roger Clemens could pitch for Houston this season.

The Astros begin a week-long homestand on Monday that includes three games against the Cubs and four against the Phillies. Their only remaining home games after this stretch are against the Pirates and the Cardinals two teams in postseason contention.

Crane says he would not pitch the seven-time Cy Young Award winner against a contender, which leaves this week as the only option.

Clemens pitched 3 1-3 scoreless innings in his first start for Sugar Land of the independent Atlantic league, and didn't allow a run in 4 2-3 innings in his second start Friday.

When asked about pitching for Houston this season after Friday's game, Clemens said he didn't see it happening because of the time it took him to recover from his first start.