Paul

Clemens

Not quite the reward he was hoping for after striking out six over four scoreless innings Wednesday against the Cardinals, but Clemens was Triple-A bound all along. The 24-year-old right-hander was ranked as the organization’s No. 5 prospect over the winter by Baseball America and should get a look at the major league level once the Astros decide to give up on some of their veterans. The Astros also sent Jonathan Singleton, Lance Pendleton, Jake Goebbert, Brandon Barnes, Diory Hernandez, Rene Garcia and Chris Wallace to minor league camp.

Clemens, who was picked up from the Braves in the Michael Bourn deal, has put himself into the rotation mix with five scoreless innings so far. The Astros will probably send him to Triple-A so that can sort through some of their older options first, but it’s not the given it seemed to be a few weeks ago.

Acquired from the Braves in the Michael Bourn deal, Clemens posted a 3.81 ERA and 125/62 K/BB ratio over 144 innings between Double- and Triple-A in 2011. He should be given a shot to compete for a rotation spot in spring training but will likely wind up back at Triple-A to start the year.

Acquired in last year’s Michael Bourn deal, Clemens had a disappointing first full season in the Astros’ organization, posting a 5.78 ERA over 27 starts between Double- and Triple-A. He’ll return to Triple-A next year.

Clemens was struck by a comebacker and appeared to dislocate the finger, but the Astros’ trainer popped it back in place and he stayed in to face one more batter. The club reconsidered after that, though, and decided to remove him. Clemens saved the bullpen with 5 1/3 scoreless relief frames after Erik Bedard lasted only 1/3 of an inning.

Clemens posted a 1.69 ERA in four appearances with the Astros this spring. The 25-year-old will be making his major league debut if he gets into a game.

He should be OK to start later this week. Lucas Harrell is getting the ball Sunday in Clemens’ place.

Clemens has now had two good and two bad starts since being recalled by the Astros. The right-hander took his sixth loss of the season against the Indians, and he now owns a 5.69 ERA over 68 innings. His final start of the season will come next weekend against the Yankees.

Clemens punched out four on the night while walking just one. The only damage against him came on an RBI single from Robinson Cano in the sixth inning, then Eduardo Nunez came around to score the would-be winning run on a passed ball later in the frame. The 25-year-old rookie right-hander wraps up his season with a 4-7 record, 5.40 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 49/26 K/BB ratio over 73 1/3 innings. He’ll be a longshot to crack the Astros Opening Day rotation next season.

Clemens had to be scratched from last Sunday’s start due to a blister on his right middle finger, but it’s healed well enough for him to take the ball this weekend. “It feels good,” Clemens said. “It’s clearing up. It looks great.”