MLB: Derek Jeter Reacts To Roger Clemens Being Found Not Guilty

Sabrina B.

Roger Clemens may have lost some fans after he was accused of using steroids, but not among his former Yankees teammates.

After Clemens was found not guilty yesterday of lying to and obstructing Congress, Derek Jeter said he was pleased.

”I’m happy everything worked out well for him,” the shortstop said. “It’s something that was going on for a long time. I’m glad it’s over with. I’m pretty sure baseball fans are happy it’s over with. … There was a lot of speculation. You always have to be careful not to rush to judgment.”

Manager Joe Girardi, Clemens’ teammate in 1999, agreed.

”It’s good for baseball,” he said. “It seems like every time someone was brought up before a grand jury or went on trial, the focus was on the last 10-15 years. Now it seems like we’re beyond it and can focus on the next 10 years.”

Girardi wasn’t sure if Clemens would get into the Hall of Fame. A union head ,Michael Weiner, is hopeful for Clemens’ legacy, Jeter believes it remains intact.

”Like all baseball fans, I look forward to him taking his rightful seat in Cooperstown,” said the MLBPA Executive Director. “Allegations are easy to be made. Roger had to fight very hard to clear his name and I’m glad he did.”

“He’s gonna go down as one of the greatest pitchers of all-time,” the Yankees captain said.

Brett Gardner has suffered a pair of setbacks in his return from an injured right arm, but still believes he’ll be back in The Bronx soon.

“If I’m not back by the first or middle of July, I’m gonna be very disappointed,” said Gardner, who has missed two months with a bone bruise and strain to his right (nonthrowing) elbow. “I expect sometime around the All-Star break.That still seems a long ways away, but I’ll sign up for that.”

He was encouraged after being examined by two prominent doctors last week, Dr. James Andrews and Dr. Timothy Kremchek, after he felt stiffness in the elbow following swings in a rehab game.

“They both felt that [time frame] was very reasonable,” said Gardner, who received a cortisone shot, as well as Platelet Rich Plasma therapy, on Thursday.

Gardner knows things could be worse.

“It was about the best news I could have gotten,” Gardner said. “I was worried something might be wrong with a ligament or that I might have a bone chip or a crack in the bone.”

Despite the extensive time he has missed this year, Gardner is confident it won’t take long for him to get back to the Yankees once his elbow heals.

“I’m still able to stand in on bullpens,” Gardner said. “I’m not hitting and I’ll probably stay away from catching. When the elbow is ready, I’ll be ready.”

Girardi remains cautious.

“We’ll make sure we take all the proper steps again so he doesn’t rush back,” Girardi said. “I don’t think we rushed him, but I think the bone bruise has given him a hard time.”

Nick Swisher missed last night’s 6-2 win over the Braves, still recovering from the left quad contusion he suffered during a collision at home plate on Saturday against the Nationals in Washington.

The right fielder took some swings yesterday but didn’t feel ready to play.

He spent the game getting treatment and hopes to be able to start tonight, but Girardi said he wouldn’t hesitate to sit him again for another game or two.

Alex Rodriguez scored the 1,860th run of his career, passing Mel Ott for 11th all-time. … Robinson Cano homered for the second consecutive game and now has 10 home runs in his last 28 games after hitting only three in his first 38.… Russell Martin went 2-for-4 and is hitting .344 (11-for-32) in his last 10 home games.

WRITTEN BY DAN MARTIN dan.martin@nypost.com & FULL STORY HERE