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 …

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 …

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 …

Under The Knife  —  Advocatus Diaboli  —  Every once in a while I'll read an article that makes me think that injury analysis is breaking into the mainstream.  Bob Klapisch, you had me at Halladay.  Powered by Sport Beans—I'm serious!—on to the injuries:

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.

'NOW I AM IN THIS LITTLE BOX' - DOC BARES LONELY HELL OF JAIL  —  Dwight Gooden, once the king of New York baseball, today sits in a Florida prison, serving his first extended jail time after violating probation by using cocaine in March.  Yesterday, Gooden gave The Post his first interview from behind bars.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.