Roger Clemens returning to baseball

HOUSTON (AP) - Rogers Clemens has signed with the Sugar Land Skeeters of the independent Atlantic League and is expected to start for them on Saturday at home against Bridgeport.

The 50-year-old right-hander was acquitted in June of charges he lied to Congress when he denied using performance-enhancing drugs.

Clemens hasn't played for a team since pitching for the Yankees in 2007. He is to appear on the Hall of Fame ballot going to voters late this year, but if he appeared in a major league game his Hall consideration would be pushed back five years.

Clemens' agent, Randy Hendricks, says the pitcher's "fastball was clocked at 87 mph." He added that Clemens and Skeeters manager Gary Gaetti have been talking about this "for months."

The signing was first reported by Houston television station KRIV.