Randy Orton

WC's Resident Alchoholic

Cano agrees to switch to No. 24 from No. 22


If Roger Clemens pitches in The Pinstripes again next season, the Yankees are ready for his return.




The Yankees asked second baseman Robinson Cano to give up his No. 22 if Clemens returns to the Bronx and Cano agreed to switch to No. 24.

A team official told ESPN that Cano approached the team's equipment personnel and said he was aware that he was wearing Clemens' former number and hoped that the availability of the number would be a lure for Clemens to New York. Cano chose his new number because its digits reversed would be Jackie Robinson's old number.

Cano's uniform switch was first reported by The New York Post.

"I was happy to give up the number to a future Hall of Famer if Roger comes aboard," Cano said in a statement, according to The Post. "Hopefully, he will be one of my teammates, I'll have the pleasure of playing with him."

Clemens, who has pitched for Houston the past three seasons, wore No. 22 when he pitched for the Yankees from 1999-2003.

The Post reported that the number switch already might have been relayed to Clemens' representatives.

However, Randy Hendricks, Clemens' agent, told The Post in an e-mail that his client is in no hurry to pick a team.

"No decision will be made until well after spring training, perhaps until after the season starts," Hendricks wrote to The Post.