Rocket re-launch: Clemens rejoins Astros  —  HOUSTON — Roger Clemens is coming out of retirement for the third time, agreeing to a $22 million contract to pitch for the Houston Astros for the rest of 2006.  —  The 43-year-old Clemens, who will be entering his 23rd major league season …

Final touches being placed on Nevin trade  —  ARLINGTON — Just shy of the season's one-third mark, the Rangers ended the Phil Nevin experiment Wednesday afternoon.  —  A week after Nevin lost his job to rookie Jason Botts, the club was putting the final touches on a deal with the Chicago Cubs, a pair of Rangers sources said.

Nady kept pain hidden  —  It must have seemed like just another day for Xavier Nady.  He showed up at Shea Stadium on Monday, started in rightfield as he almost always does, got hit by a pitch, went 0-for-2 and was removed in a double switch.  —  Then, before his night was over …

Royals fire Baird to clear path for hiring Moore as GM  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — The Royals fired general manager Allard Baird on this morning in anticipation of announcing the hiring of Atlanta assistant Dayton Moore as his replacement.  —  The club declined official comment regarding the moves, but Baird confirmed he had been fired.

Sheff may go on DL yet again  —  DETROIT - Just as the Yankees thought Gary Sheffield was getting healthy, they find out he may be heading right back to the disabled list.  —  Sheffield was frustrated and despondent last night as he exited Comerica Park, stopping only briefly to talk with the Daily News and one other reporter.

Notes: Pauley to make his debut  —  Right-hander called up from Portland with Wells hurt  —  TORONTO — With one David down, the Red Sox got another to take his place.  —  Right-hander David Pauley joined the Sox in Toronto on Tuesday and is expected to make his Major League debut …

Edmonds has tests  —  Cardinals center fielder Jim Edmonds, his lower abdomen sore enough to keep him out of the starting lineup for four consecutive games, will see a specialist in sports hernias after Wednesday's game, Cardinals officials said Tuesday night.

Baseball's Rockies seek revival on two levels  —  DENVER — No copies of Playboy or Penthouse are in the clubhouse of baseball's Colorado Rockies.  There's not even a Maxim.  The only reading materials are daily newspapers, sports and car magazines and the Bible.

Notes: Lo Duca leading All-Star voting  —  Mets catcher has slim lead over Piazza for starting nod  —  NEW YORK — Paul Lo Duca was announced as the leading All-Star vote-getter for National League catchers in the first totals released by Major League Baseball.

Donnelly Says He's Working It Out  —  Brendan Donnelly took exception to an observation that his pitches didn't seem to be moving that well in Texas last week.  —  "They moved," the Angels reliever said with his usual acerbic wit.  "Right over the fence."

Marlins sink talk of trade  —  DETROIT - There was plenty of speculation yesterday that the Yankees, Phillies and Marlins were working on a three-way deal that would put Pat Burrell in pinstripes, send Dontrelle Willis to Philadelphia and stock the low-budget Marlins with prospects, but the trade talk was quickly shot down.

Top Draft-And-Follows Re-Enter Draft  —  The 2006 draft crop may be the worst since 2000, but it just got better at midnight Tuesday.  The top three draft-and-follow prospects from 2005 failed to come to terms with the teams that held their rights, infusing this year's talent pool with three more first-round-caliber righthanders.