Clemens will return in Yankees pinstripes

NEW YORK -- Roger Clemens returned to the New York Yankees, making a dramatic announcement to fans from the owner's box during Sunday's game against the Seattle Mariners.

At the end of the seventh-inning stretch, Yankees public address announcer Bob Sheppard told fans to turn their attention to the box, where Clemens was standing with a microphone. As the video scoreboard in right-center showed Clemens, the seven-time Cy Young Award winner made the announcement himself.

"Well, they came and got me out of Texas and I can tell you it's a privilege to be back," Clemens said. "I'll be talking to y'all soon."

Clemens, who will turn 45 in August, agreed to a $28 million, one-year contract that will start when he is added to the major league roster, most likely in three to four weeks.

He begins with a minor league contract, and the deal will allow him to earn about $18.5 million. Clemens will start his workouts in Lexington, Ky., where his son Koby is playing in the Houston Astros' farm system.

The Rocket pitched for New York from 1999 to 2003. He left the Yankees after the 2003 season, saying he was retiring, but after Andy Pettitte signed with the Astros, Clemens followed his friend to their hometown team.

Pettitte returned to the Yankees this year.

Pavano may have surgery

For nearly $40 million, it appears all the Yankees will get out of Carl Pavano is five wins.

Pavano could need elbow surgery that would sideline him for most if not all of the remainder of his four-year contract.

The 31-year-old right-hander was examined Friday by Dr. James Andrews. While damage was found in the elbow, the ligament was not torn, a Yankees official said Sunday. The team would like Pavano to try to rehabilitate without an operation, but the oft-injured pitcher was leaning toward surgery.

Pavano is 5-7 in 19 starts with the Yankees, who signed him before the 2005 season.

-- The Associated Press