ROUNDUP News and notes

ROUNDUP
News and notes

Clemens set to start Game 3: Roger Clemens is set to start Game 3 for the New York Yankees against Cleveland after throwing 69 pitches in a four-inning simulated game Tuesday at the team’s complex in Tampa, Fla. Clemens, who has not pitched since Sept. 16 because of a hamstring injury, faced 18 batters, then took grounders on the mound, fielded bunts and also practiced covering first base. “It was a very good report,” manager Joe Torre said after speaking with Yankees vice president Billy Connors, who attended the session. “Everything got high marks.”

Feeling fine: Angels right fielder Vladimir Guerrero, nursing a bruised forearm, will be the designated hitter for Game 1 against Boston. “Right now, Vlad Guerrero is throwing the ball much better than he has in the last 10 days or so,” manager Mike Scioscia said. “I think he will become an option for right field at some point this series, but he will DH.” Guerrero was hit by a pitch in a Sept. 26 loss to Texas. He played in just one of the Angels’ last three games, going 2-for-2 with a homer against Oakland on Friday. Guerrero hit .324 with 27 homers and 125 RBIs for the Angels.

Bring him back: Cubs manager Lou Piniella plans to start ace Carlos Zambrano on three days’ rest if their series against Arizona goes four games. “If anybody can pitch on three days’ rest in our rotation, Carlos can,” Piniella said before his team worked out Tuesday at Chase Field. Zambrano will start the opener tonight. Ted Lilly will pitch Game 2 Thursday night, followed by Rich Hill in Game 3 Saturday at Wrigley Field. Pitching Zambrano on short rest would allow Lilly to pitch on his regular rest if the series goes to a fifth game, Piniella said. Zambrano pitched on three days’ rest once this year. He took the loss on Sept. 18 against Cincinnati, allowing four runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Mets keep Randolph: Manager Willie Randolph sported a new, clean-shaven look as he walked past rows of empty lockers in the Mets’ clubhouse. “It’s not a good time to be recognized in this town,” he joked. “Hoping to slip by and dodge a few daggers.” Randolph dodged one Tuesday, two days after his team completed an enormous collapse. General manager Omar Minaya announced Randolph will be back with the club next year, ending speculation that he might be fired despite getting a contract extension before this season.

Braves cut ties with CF: The Braves are cutting ties with Andruw Jones, saying they can’t afford to keep the perennial Gold Glove center fielder who’s spent his entire career with the organization. General manager John Schuerholz announced the decision Tuesday, shortly after breaking the news to Jones during a one-on-one meeting at Turner Field. While hoping to stay in Atlanta, Jones wasn’t caught off-guard by the team’s stance. He made $13.5 million this season and was looking for a hefty raise despite slumping badly.

Attendance record: Major League Baseball drew a record average of 32,785 fans to games this season, breaking the previous mark of 31,423 that was set in 1994 — before a 7 1/2-month players’ strike caused a steep drop. The major leagues set a total attendance record for the fourth straight season, drawing 79.5 million, an increase of 4.5 percent from last year’s 76 million.

Associated Press