ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The New York Yankees will decide after a rehabilitation start Saturday night if pitcher Roger Clemens will be ready to return from a strained groin next week.

	Clemens

Clemens is scheduled to throw 80-90 pitches for Class-A Tampa against the Sarasota Red Sox in a Florida State League game. It will be his first game action since going on the disabled list July 13.

"He could be activated sometime next week and make his next start in the big leagues, or he could go for a second start in the minor leagues,'' Yankees GM Brian Cashman said. "We'll evaluate after tomorrow's (Saturday) start.''

The six-time Cy Young Award winner threw 120 pitches last Sunday during a simulated game-style batting practice session. He had his regular bullpen session on Wednesday.

"I'll know a lot more tomorrow,'' Clemens said.

Clemens aggravated the injury while pitching against Cleveland on July 12.

"I don't want that to reoccur,'' Clemens said. "It's embarrassing to be pitching, doing well and have it happen. I definitely don't want that to happen again.''

It is Clemens' sixth stint on the DL in 19 major league seasons and third since joining the Yankees in 1999. The 39-year-old right-hander is 8-3 this season but winless in five starts since June 9.

New York left-hander Sterling Hitchcock, sidelined by a lower back injury, is slated to make a rehab appearance out of the bullpen Saturday for Tampa. He worked two scoreless innings in a Gulf Coast League game Thursday.

Cashman said Hitchcock could rejoin the Yankees by early next week.