Clemens scratched

UPDATE: Yankees manager Joe Torre said before tonight's game that it's unlikely that Roger Clemens will make pitch in a game for the rest of the season in order to make sure he is ready for the postseason.

"He's feeling better," Torre said. "The frustration comes from not feeling the way he wants to feel right now."

Before the game, Clemens said his return took a step back yesterday. He felt better pitching, but didn't feel good enough making sudden moves to cover the base on a play.

Also, Torre said the Yankees would celebrate if they clinch a postseason berth with a win or a Detroit loss. It likely won't be as tame as the Red Sox's champagne toast Saturday night, especially given the fact that plastic covers to drape over the lockers are already above the lockers in the Yankees clubhouse.

ST. PETERSBURG -- Those fans who come to Tropicana Field tonight to see Roger Clemens will be disappointed. Just less than four hours before tonight's scheduled first pitch, the Yankees have scratched the 45-year-old righthander. He will not pitch this series.

Instead, the Yankees will send lefthander Kei Igawa (2-3, 6.75) to the mound. Their probables for the rest of the series remains the same, with Chien-Ming Wang pitching Wednesday and rookie Phil Hughes starting Thursday.

Clemens (6-6, 4.18) was originally slated to start Saturday and then on Monday, but he was moved back another day to give his ailing right hamstring a rest. Clemens has made just one start since Sept. 3.