NEW YORK – The Rocket launch appears to be on hold for another week. After laboring through 51/3 innings and 102 pitches in his second minor-league start, Roger Clemens likely will make one more start in the minors before taking the mound for the Bombers.

A source with knowledge of the Yankees’ plans said Clemens would probably make his third and final start on Tuesday with Triple-A Scranton against Toledo instead of making his big-league season debut in Toronto against the Blue Jays.

Assuming that Clemens would be ready to make the following start for the Yankees, it appears as though that would take place on Monday, June 4 in Chicago, not at Fenway Park during the June 1-3 series against the Red Sox. As it stands now, the Yankees have Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina and Andy Pettitte lined up for that important three-game series with the AL East leaders. According to the source, neither Gene Michael nor Billy Connors was overwhelmed by Clemens’ outing for Double-A Trenton on Wednesday, as he allowed three runs on six hits and four walks in 51/3 innings.

Although his pitch count was certainly high enough, the club believes Clemens could use one final start to sharpen up his stuff before joining the Yankees. Three of Clemens’ walks came in the first inning, while he also hit a batter in the game.

“He knows his body better than anybody else,” Torre said after Wednesday night’s win over Boston. “He’s probably the best guy with the information right now, because if he feels he’ll get sharper by staying down there one more time, I’m sure that’s what he’ll do.”

Clemens will be joining a rotation that features Wang, Pettitte, Mussina and Tyler Clippard, though Phil Hughes is expected to replace Clippard when his injured hamstring is healed.

“Roger is going to be important for us,” Torre said.

“We don’t expect him to come in and dominate for eight innings. Five or six innings, whatever it is, I think it’s important to give us a chance to win. If our offense can start producing like we’re capable, I think we can start winning regularly.”

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AP-NY-05-24-07 2102EDT