Done deal: Rocket returns to Astros  —  Clemens set for June 22 return to Houston rotation  —  HOUSTON — Retirement and the Hall of Fame will have to wait a little longer for Roger Clemens, because The Rocket has decided to go on one final mission for Houston.

Milledge Hopes to Show He Has Staying Power  —  Lastings Milledge had an ominous beginning to his first day in the major leagues with the Mets as his flight from Providence, R.I., to LaGuardia Airport was canceled and his second flight was delayed.  Milledge was still languishing at the airport …

Home not so sweet for Cordero  —  If you skip the drivel here at the top and go down to the questions and answers, you are going to say: "Why didn't that idiot address what in the world is going on with Francisco Cordero?  I know I asked a question about it."

Pitching weakness could undermine team's potential  —  The Phillies surveyed their mangled pitching rotation yesterday, spun the organizational wheel, and announced that lefthander Eude Brito would be the latest answer to the musical question "Why Aren't There More Arms to Hold Me?"

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 …

Walking Cabrera can be damaging to a pitcher's ERA  —  · Check out how many intentional walks the Giants have issued and you'll get a good sense of what manager Felipe Alou thinks of them.  —  "I don't like intentional walks," Alou said, after putting up four fingers when Miguel Cabrera came …

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.

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.

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.

Jose's 2nd coming  —  As long as he keeps homering every day, Jose Valentin can start at second base for the Mets.  —  Otherwise, no promises.  Not even after Valentin homered for the second straight game last night, continuing to contribute at a position where the Mets have been punchless.

Ask Mark Gonzales  —  The Tribune's White Sox writer answers readers' questions every week during the season  —  I must not understand the rules concerning Rule 5 draft.  I thought if you lost a player, he would be offered back if the team didn't keep him on the 25-man roster.

Pirates Notebook: Next up?  A platoon in right ... maybe  —  Could Jeromy Burnitz and Craig Wilson platoon in right field?  —  On April 4 in Milwaukee, Pirates manager Jim Tracy was asked that question and answered authoritatively: "Make sure you're aware of this: This is not a platoon situation with Jeromy Burnitz.

Rivera Buys the Yankees Some Time to Regroup  —  DETROIT, May 30 — An unwritten rule of managing is never use your closer in a tie game on the road.  The theory is easy to understand: if you get a lead, you will need someone to preserve it.  You might as well save the closer.

Kazmir Deal Is a Debt the Mets Still Owe  —  Four out of every five days, the Mets are a resurgent franchise, flush with charismatic leaders and bankable stars, hailed for their progressive thinking and bold strategy.  —  But on the fifth day, when Scott Kazmir takes the mound for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays …

Statistical Curiosities  —  A look at a few strange and unusual things in the baseball world that I came across over the past week or so.  —  Can't Buy A Win  —  Last week Jake Peavy struck out 16 batters in a game, but he took the loss as the Braves dropped the Padres 3-1.

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.