Rocket’s status remains up in air for Houston

CHICAGO – A day after Roger Clemens hobbled off the field, the Houston Astros on Sunday could not answer the big question: Will the Rocket be able to pitch again in the World Series?

“When it comes to Roger Clemens, I have to be optimistic,” Astros general manager Tim Purpura said.

Clemens was forced out of Game 1 after only two innings, walking gingerly because of a recurring strained left hamstring. The Astros lost the opener 5-3.

Clemens was scheduled to be at U.S. Cellular Field on Sunday for treatment. He wasn’t available for comment.

The Astros listed the 43-year-old Clemens – the scheduled starter for Game 5 on Thursday night in Houston – as day to day. Purpura said there wouldn’t be a decision on his status until closer to game time.

Astros pitching coach Jim Hickey said he thought Clemens tweaked himself while making a break to cover first base in the second inning.

“I really thought we were past it and I think he thought so, too,” Hickey said. “It actually surprised me yesterday.”

Clemens struggled in his first Game 1 start in the World Series. He left after 54 pitches, walked carefully down the dugout steps and went straight to the clubhouse.

“He didn’t look real good last night,” teammate Jeff Bagwell said. “Of course, there were probably a lot of things going through his mind.”

However, the White Sox weren’t surprised when Clemens exited after two innings.

Their advance scouts had prepared reports saying Clemens’ strained left hamstring was a bigger issue than the Astros were admitting.

When Clemens faced St. Louis in Game 3 of the NLCS, the Cardinals swung at and missed only three of his 97 pitches, an alarmingly low total that told White Sox scouts Clemens wasn’t right.