MLB rumors: Son of ex-Yankees ace is close to making big-league debut

The Detroit Tigers added Kody Clemens, the son of former New York Yankees ace Roger Clemens, to their 40-man roster
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Like father, like son.

The Associated Press reports the Detroit Tigers added infielder Kody Clemens, the youngest son of seven-time Cy Young winner Roger Clemens, to their 40-man roster.

The 25-year-old Clemens, an infielder, hit .247 with 18 homers and 59 RBIs in 97 games for the Mud Hens last season, his first year at Triple-A.

Detroit drafted Clemens out of Texas with the opening pick of the third round in 2018. Clemens was a 35th-round selection of Houston out of high school, but opted to go to his father’s alma mater to play baseball.

His dad was one of the best MLB pitchers of all-time. But the Hall might not call for the former New York Yankees ace.

Clemens will be on the National Baseball Hall of Fame ballot for the 10th and final time in 2022. On paper, his resume screams Hall of Fame: 354 wins (ninth all-time) and 4,672 strikeouts (third all-time).

But Clemens’ legacy is tainted by allegations he used performance-enhancing drugs after being named in the Mitchell Report, claims he has repeatedly denied.

Clemens spent six seasons in pinstripes, winning a pair of World Series titles (1999 and 2000) and a Cy Young Award (2001). He finished third in Hall of Fame voting this year and was named on 61.6% of the ballots; 75% is needed for induction.

Also returning on the ballot for a 10th and final time will be seven-time MVP and fellow PED-suspect Barry Bonds, who was named on 61.8% of the ballots in 2021.

Among the first-time candidates in 2022 are Clemens’ former teammate Alex Rodriguez and Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz.

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(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com.

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