Cleveland ? Roger Clemens was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday by the New York Yankees, who received encouraging news about outfielder Raul Mondesi.

Clemens re-aggravated his strained right groin Friday night, and the six-time Cy Young winner will go to the team’s spring training complex in Tampa, Fla., for rehabilitation. Right-hander Mike Thurman was recalled from Triple-A Columbus to take Clemens’ spot on the roster.

“There was no hesitation with Roger, it was the right thing to do,” Yankees manager Joe Torre said. “He won’t throw for five days, but we’re optimistic he’ll be back soon.”

Mondesi was trying to shake off the effects of running into the outfield wall while chasing Omar Vizquel’s RBI triple in the 10th inning that gave the Cleveland Indians a 2-1 victory Friday night.

Chest and neck X-rays on Mondesi were negative. He was not in the starting lineup Saturday night and was not expected to play today, either.

But Mondesi, acquired July 1 from Toronto, was optimistic he would return soon.

“It shouldn’t take long to get back,” he said. “I want to get out and play.”

It is Clemens’ sixth stint on the DL in 19 major league seasons, and third since joining the Yankees in 1999.

“Rest will help, but I’ve got to strengthen it,” said Clemens, who is 8-3 this season but winless in five starts since June 9. “Over the (All-Star) break, I just totally rested. I was going crazy doing nothing. This time, I’ll ice it three or four days, then start working.”

The 39-year-old right-hander allowed only two hits in five scoreless innings before walking off the mound before the bottom of the sixth Friday night. He left his previous start July 2 at Yankee Stadium after five innings with a leg cramp.

“The trainers are working on a program for me right now,” Clemens said. “They have a pool down in Tampa with a treadmill in it and I’m sure I’ll work on it. The big thing is to get back and help this team. My goal is to get back to the playoffs.”

Mondesi was in the trainer’s room before Saturday night’s game and didn’t speak with reporters.

“My whole body is sore, my knee and chest a little more than other parts,” Mondesi said through a Yankees spokesman. “But I feel better than (Friday) night.”

Mondesi’s right shoulder and head slammed into the wall as he tried to catch Vizquel’s drive. He laid motionless on the warning track for several minutes before standing up and walking over to a cart that drove him from the field.