New York ? Roger Clemens’ inside fastball that plunked Barry Bonds might cost the New York Yankees ace more than a little respect.

Baseball is now looking into whether Clemens should be disciplined for hitting the San Francisco slugger as he hinted he might do.

“It’s under investigation,” a spokesman in major league disciplinarian Bob Watson’s office said Monday. “We’re going to take a look at the tapes and the umpire’s report to evaluate the situation.”

Asked last week about pitching to the San Francisco slugger, Clemens mentioned the protective piece Bonds 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.”

Then in the third inning Sunday, Clemens threw a fastball to Bonds that hit him exactly in that spot.