On his return to the Bronx, Andy Pettitte, is quoted by the New York Times’ Tyler Kepner on the matter of Roger Clemens’ future plans.

œAs a friend of his, it wouldn™t be fair to share anything that he™s shared with me on that subject, Pettitte said. œAll I feel comfortable saying, and that™s not even definite, but after speaking with him, he probably wants to try to pitch. It™s amazing that he still wants to pitch, but he does, like he™s 20. He™s got an unbelievable amount of energy.

œYou add Roger Clemens to your staff, as far as I™m concerned, he™s the greatest pitcher to ever play the game, that™s great. Does he know that I would love that? Of course. And when you add him, your expectations are even higher. From that standpoint, that would be wonderful.

Clemens, 44, is a free agent, and his agent, Randy Hendricks, has advised him to pitch a partial season, as he did last year. Pettitte laughed at the suggestion that Clemens would be reporting with him to Tampa, Fla., next month. œI would think spring training would be definitely out, he said.

The Astros, the Boston Red Sox and the Yankees all interest Clemens, and all would welcome him back.

œAll of them have such compelling points to them, Pettitte said. œBoston is where it all started for him, New York is where we won the championships, and home is home. He™s there, the schedule they would have with his family situation, he™s got a son in the organization. Those are the things that have to be going through his mind.

The Sultan Of Surly would like to formally say he’s sorry for rolling over on Mark Sweeney, on what had to be such a proud day for Peter Magowan and Brian Sabean.

He is both my teammate and my friend,” Bonds said in a statement. “He did not give me anything whatsoever and has nothing to do with this matter, contrary to recent reports.

“I want to express my deepest apologies especially to Mark and his family as well as my other teammates, the San Francisco Giants organization and the fans,” he said.

That’s all the Giants star, shadowed by steroids allegations and only 22 home runs from breaking Hank Aaron’s career home run record, said about the alleged positive drug test. Bonds has steadfastly denied used performance-enhancing drugs.

“Obviously, we’re pleased that Barry has straightened this out,” said Sweeney’s agent, Barry Axelrod.