BOSTON — Stranger things have rarely happened but, yes, the Royals plan to have a scout attend Roger Clemens’ comeback game Saturday night in Texas for the Sugar Land Express in the independent Atlantic League.

General Manager Dayton Moore confirmed: “Bill Fischer is going to be there.”

Clemens, 50, hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2007 and offered no commitment to continue his comeback beyond Saturday’s game in the Houston suburbs. But … he didn’t rule it out either.

“I’m not looking to pitch on the major-league level just yet,” he said earlier this week on Dan Patrick’s radio show. “I’ve already been down that road. I tried to retire three times, it didn’t work out well.”

The Astros are believed to have some interest.

Clemens is eligible later this year to appear for the first time on a Hall of Fame ballot. If he plays in a major-league game, his timetable would be reset for five years after his final appearance.

Laugh lines

There were four people wearing No. 1 when the Royals took batting practice on Thursday — outfielder Jarrod Dyson (as usual) and three of manager Ned Yost’s friends: comedian Jeff Foxworthy, Larry Burns and Glen Garner.

The group (minus Dyson) toured the Green Monster and watched batting practice from behind the cage. It was a one-day-only visit.

Foxworthy has to return home in preparation for his role as the title sponsor for next Friday’s race in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series: the Jeff Foxworthy’s Grit Chips 200 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Cue the commercial: Jeff Foxworthy’s Grit Chips are a new product soon to be available in Kroger Stores across the country. They will be available in four flavors: original, cheddar cheese, jalapeño cheddar and sweet heat.

Sound tasty? You know, you might be a …

Minor titles

Short-season Burlington clinched its first pennant in 19 years Thursday by beating Johnson City 6-3 behind a grand slam by first baseman Mark Threlkeld. The crown came one day after the Royals clinched a playoff spot in the Appalachian League.

Burlington, as East Division champions, will open postseason next Wednesday in a best-of-three series against the West Division’s second-place team — either Johnson City or Greeneville.

The Royals are the organization’s second affiliate to clinch a playoff spot. Class AAA Omaha previously clinched the pennant in the Pacific Coast League’s American North Division. The Storm Chasers are the defending PCL champions.

Minor details

Right-hander Yordano Ventura threw 73 pitches Friday in his first start at Class AA Northwest Arkansas since exiting a July 30 game because of what was later diagnosed as a minor carpal-tunnel injury to his pitching hand.

Ventura, 21, permitted two runs and three hits in 4 2/3 innings against Springfield while striking out five and walking one. He returned to game action last Sunday with 3 2/3 innings in a rehab start for Surprise in the Arizona Rookie League.

Ventura started last month for the World team in the All-Star Futures Game at Kauffman Stadium and is generally regarded as one of the organization’s top prospects. He is 3-7 with a 3.73 ERA this season in 22 starts with 127 strikeouts in 103 2/3 innings.

Looking back

It was 13 years ago today — Aug. 25, 1999 — that Jeff Montgomery recorded his 300th career save by getting the final out in an 8-6 victory over Baltimore at Kauffman Stadium.

It didn’t come easily. Montgomery replaced Tim Byrdak with two outs and none on, but he yielded two hits before retiring Albert Belle on a grounder to short.

Montgomery retired at the end of the season with 304 saves in a 13-year career. All of them came with the Royals, and his total remains a franchise record.

Etc.

• Bench coach Chino Cadahia rejoined the club after missing much of the last two weeks while attending to a family matter.

• Some news involving former Royals: Reliever Jesse Chavez was traded to Oakland from Toronto, and Texas purchased the contract of infielder Luis Hernandez from the minors to replace Michael Young, who is on paternity leave.

• The Red Sox activated designated hitter David Ortiz, who hasn’t played since July 16 because of a strained right Achilles’ tendon.