Roger Clemens will have a cortisone shot Wednesday on his ailing right elbow and is confident he will be able to pitch for the Yankees again this season.

Clemens’s start was cut short after four innings Monday in New York’s 7–1 loss to Seattle, and he had an MRI exam after the game that the Yankees said showed inflammation of the right elbow. Clemens thought the elbow problem stemmed from a blister on his foot that caused him to alter his mechanics.

The seven-time Cy Young Award winner never before has had a cortisone shot to his arm. He will fly to Houston and be examined by Astros team physician Dr. Thomas Mehlhoff. While the Yankees said a shot was possible, Clemens said he will have one.

“I’m very optimistic. Even it takes multiple sessions, I’m willing to deal with that,” Clemens said Tuesday after lining up for the Yankees’ team photo.

Manager Joe Torre said Mike Mussina will take Clemens’ turn this weekend at Kansas City. For now, Torre is expecting Clemens will miss just one turn.

“The elbow seems to be fine as far as all the structural stuff,” Torre said. “I’m thinking that he’s going to pitch, and I’m not looking too far down the road for that to happen, either.”

Clemens wouldn’t disclose exactly what the MRI exam showed. The 45-year-old right-hander, now in his 24th major league season, is known for his physical and mental toughness and hinted the injury may be more serious than the diagnosis announced by the Yankees.

“I kind of know what it says. I know what the guy read for me at home,” Clemens said. “He’s going to tell you something a little lesser, probably.”

Clemens couldn’t say whether the injury would require surgery at the end of the season.

“I’m pushing my body until it starts pushing back. It’s pushing back a little bit,” he said.

“The muscles and everything else are just basically shutting down and trying to grab a hold of my arm.”