Some members of the New York Mets believe that Roger Clemens will never step foot on the Shea Stadium mound on Saturday afternoon.

"He's not going to pitch," one Met told the New York Daily News on Tuesday. "He's waiting for the commissioner's office to bail him out."

	When Piazza was hit by a Clemens fastball on July 8, 2000, manager Bobby Valentine called it "deliberate."

Clemens is scheduled to face Shawn Estes in the middle game of the much-anticipated Subway Series this weekend. Clemens has yet to pitch at Shea since hitting Mets' catcher Mike Piazza in the head with a pitch at Yankee Stadium during the 2000 season. During the World Series that season, Clemens threw part of a broken bat at Piazza.

Clemens hit San Francisco's Barry Bonds with a pitch on Sunday after hinting that he might do so a few days earlier. The Major League Baseball office is currently investigating the matter.

Some Mets believe that Clemens intentionally hit Bonds so he would be suspended for the series this weekend, giving the "Rocket" an easy way out.

"He knew what he was doing," another Met told the Daily News. "Roger isn't stupid. He mouthed off so he'll get suspended and then he'll take the suspension this weekend. No way we see him."

Asked last week about pitching to Bonds, Clemens mentioned the protective piece he wears on his right arm. ''I will introduce myself pretty quick,'' Clemens said, to ''that big old piece of plastic he has on his elbow.''