''Are you coming back?'' someone asked.

''I'll know in about a month,'' Clemens answered.

The 44-year-old is no closer to deciding whether he'll return for a 23rd season. He set no timetable, but repeated that he'll choose among the Houston Astros, New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.

Clemens said his agents, Alan and Randy Hendricks, will let him know when he can't put off his decision any longer.

''They're great at what they do and they'll call me and say, 'Listen, it's time to either make a decision or not,''' the seven-time Cy Young Award winner said. ''It could come next week, it could come in 2-3 months, who knows?''

Clemens hinted that he'll pick the team he thinks has the best chance to win the World Series.

''I need a solid reason to do this,'' Clemens said. When asked what a solid reason would be, Clemens said, ''To feel like I could contribute and to win, to know we have an outstanding chance to win and to be a part of something special.''

Clemens said he's healthy and ready to pitch, but still needs to mentally prepare for a season.

''My arm's not too far off, my body is not too far off,'' he said. ''My mind's just not there yet.''

During Wednesday's round with Lee Westwood, who's competing in this week's Houston Open, Clemens wore a white baseball cap with ''World Series 2005'' emblazoned on the front. Clemens said he's heard from Chris Burke and other former Houston teammates, urging him to come back.

The only firm plan Clemens has now is to follow his oldest son, Koby, a minor-leaguer in the Astros system.

Clemens also said he'll fly to New York in the coming weeks to see close friend Andy Pettitte pitch for the Yankees. Pettitte said Tuesday his sore back is feeling better and the Yankees are confident he'll make his first regular-season start.

Clemens and Pettitte spent four seasons together in New York and most of the last three in Houston.