Clemens gets cortisone shot

Roger Clemens will have a cortisone shot today on his ailing right elbow and is confident he will be able to pitch again this season. But he also hinted that the injury is more serious than the diagnosis of “inflammation” in his right elbow that was announced by the team.

Clemens’ start was cut short after four innings Monday in New York’s 7-1 loss to Seattle, and he had an MRI exam after the game. He thought the elbow problem stemmed from a blister on his foot that caused him to alter his mechanics.

The seven-time Cy Young Award winner never before has had a cortisone shot to his arm. He will fly to Houston and be examined by Dr. Thomas Mehlhoff.

Zambrano apologizes

Carlos Zambrano apologized to Chicago Cubs fans, one day after he criticized them for booing him following another poor performance.

“I don’t understand why the fans were booing at me,” Zambrano said Monday. “I thought these were the greatest fans in baseball.”

“I’m a grown man. I know when I make a mistake,” he said the next day.

Clearing the bases

The Milwaukee Brewers acquired left-hander Ray King from Washington in exchange for a player to be named. … The San Diego Padres signed right-hander Brett Tomko. … Red Sox rookie Clay Buchholz, who threw a no-hitter in just his second major league start, will pitch out of the bullpen for the near future, manager Terry Francona said. … Bats seized from the Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez and Tampa Bay’s Akinori Iwamura were examined by Major League Baseball and found to be clean, three days after opponents asked the umpires to check them out.