Houston ? The Houston Astros’ biggest problem might be figuring out who gets to start on opening day.

Does six-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens get the honor? Or will it be fellow newcomer Andy Pettitte? And what about holdovers Wade Miller and Roy Oswalt?

Only one can throw the season’s first pitch against Barry Bonds’ San Francisco Giants April 5. Manager Jimy Williams didn’t want to think about it before the team starts spring training Sunday.

“I’d like to get all of our starters in the same ZIP code in Kissimmee, then I’ll get them all together, and we’ll talk about it,” he said. “I think that’s the best way to do it, rather than having to make five phone calls.”

Clemens would be the obvious choice, especially because he came out of retirement to play for his hometown team after leaving the New York Yankees.

Pettitte, who won four World Series with the Yankees, is Clemens’ buddy, and his decision to sign with the Astros is the main reason the Rocket agreed to play for them.

Oswalt, a budding young standout, is coming off a season shortened by chronic groin problems. Miller has been the Astros’ stalwart, pitching at least 160 innings in each of the past three seasons.

Williams wants to set his rotation before exhibition play starts March 5. The pitching strength has given Astros fans hope that the team, which started play in 1962, can get to the World Series for the first time.

“When you’ve got a guy that has 20 years in the big leagues, I believe he deserves the spot,” said Oswalt, who was 6 when Clemens debuted with the Boston Red Sox in 1984. “He’s been here a lot longer than I have, and he sure has done a lot more.”

PITCHERS ANDY PETTITTE, left, and Roger Clemens talk on the pitchers mound after a news conference Jan. 12 in Houston. The Astros' biggest problem might be figuring out who gets to start on opening day.

One thing is for sure: Tim Redding will be the fifth starter. He was 10-14 with a 3.86 ERA last season.

“I’m starting to get excited because it’s getting close,” Pettitte said. “It seems like I signed a year ago. The fans, the town, everybody is so excited, and I’m extremely excited myself.”

Jeriome Robertson, who led the team with 15 wins last year despite a 5.10 ERA, is headed to the bullpen. Carlos Hernandez, Rodrigo Rosario and Brandon Duckworth will be middle relievers or wind up at Triple-A.

Setup man Octavio Dotel becomes the closer after the trade of Billy Wagner to the Philadelphia Phillies, and Brad Lidge takes over as the setup man.

The other bullpen slots are uncertain, with Robertson, Hernandez, Rosario, Duckworth, Ricky Stone, Dave Veres, Dan Miceli, Brandon Backe, Kirk Saarloos and Mike Gallo in the mix.

“There’s going to be some competition in camp,” said Williams, whose team is coming off two second-place finishes that failed to earn it a playoff berth.

Outfielder Richard Hidalgo is eager for the chance to hit and support the Astros’ rotation. Hidalgo, who makes $12 million, has been the subject of trade rumors.

“I’m just happy to still be here,” he said. “I really want to be here, so I just thank God I’ve gotten to stay here. I’m still waiting for whatever they’re going to do, and there’s nothing I can do about it.”