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Early optimism from the Rocket

TRENTON, N.J. -- Roger Clemens was looking forward to tonight's outing with Trenton, as was pitching guru Billy Connors:

Clemens, on his tune-up assignments: "It's exciting. I mean, I am happy to get an opportunity to maybe perform in places I normally would not have an opportunity to. I have gotten to see some neat towns, coming here from New York it was a pretty neat drive. I am meeting some new guys, and that's all part of it. I enjoy doing it.''

On reports of a dead arm: "It's not firing exactly as I would like it to, but I have had that many times in my career. There are games you have great stuff and you have to will your way through some games. I've done that many times. It's nothing I'm not used to.''

Billy Connors on Clemens: "He's getting strong. His arm is coming around. It should be impressive tonight. Hopefully this will be a chance to go out there and get some pitches and get him ready for the season.''

Reports of dead arm: "That happens a lot to pitchers. He threw a lot of BP to his son and colleges and I know he has thrown a lot before that. Now when you go through a period when he is out there on the mound, actually in a game situation, it's a lot different than throwing on the side. This is like spring training to him, so he's going to go through that.''