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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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:

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.

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.

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 …

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 …

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.

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."