March 5, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays infielder
Ernie Clement (mouth) is progressing and could return to the team's Grapefruit League lineup as early as Thursday, according to manager John Schneider. Clement was hit in the face by a pitch in Monday's spring training against the Detroit Tigers. The 28-year-old thankfully was able to escape with only a cut on his lip and avoided a concussion. Clement will be ready in plenty of time for Opening Day at the end of March, and as of right now, he's considered the favorite to see the majority of playing time at third base. The 28-year-old still needs to earn the starting job, though, and he'll need to continue to play well in 2025 to hold off others at the position. The former fourth-round pick by the Cleveland Guardians in 2017 out of the University of Virginia makes elite contact and slashed .263/.284/.408 with 12 homers, 51 RBI and 12 steals in 139 games in his first full season in the big leagues in 2024.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Sportsnet.ca - Ben Nicholson-Smith
March 3, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays third baseman
Ernie Clement (face) exited Monday's spring training contest early after getting hit by a pitch in the face. Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet noted that the infielder has lip lacerations and contusions. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as he will likely be held out of action for some time. Last season, the 28-year-old logged a career-high 130 games at the MLB level with the Blue Jays. He held a .263/.284/.408 line with 12 home runs and 12 stolen bases. He showed an elite eye at the plate as he struck out at a near perfect 9.1 percent rate (100th percentile). However, he generated a low 24.9 percent hard-hit rate. When healthy, he should be expected to be Toronto's third baseman. If he were to miss time,
Addison Barger should be the top candidate to replace him.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Ben Nicholson-Smith
February 21, 2025
MLB.com's Keegan Matheson expects Toronto Blue Jays infielder
Ernie Clement to open the year as the starting third baseman. However, once the season gets underway, Matheson thinks the Blue Jays could play the hot hand at the position, which could also mean plenty of
Will Wagner, especially if the Jays are looking to inject more offense into the lineup. Manager John Schneider singled out Clement as a likely backup option to
Bo Bichette at shortstop, and given his athleticism, he should be a valuable piece for the team, regardless of how often he plays. In addition to Clement and Wagner,
Orelvis Martinez and
Addison Barger could also factor into the hot corner, so Clement is going to have to perform to continue seeing regular playing time. The 28-year-old hit .263/.284/.408 with 12 homers, 51 RBI and 12 steals in a career-high 139 games last year. Clement's versatility and elite contact skills makes him worth targeting in AL-only leagues.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
August 22, 2024
Toronto Blue Jays infielder
Ernie Clement went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, three RBI, a walk, and a run scored in Wednesday's 11-7 loss to the Reds. It was the ninth home run of the season for Clement and he's now homered in back-to-back games and three of his last six. The 28-year-old continues to produce out of the middle of the Jays' lineup. Over his last 36 games, the former fourth-round draft pick is slashing .297/.329/.471 with 26 RBI, 15 runs scored, and five stolen bases. Clement is still available in almost 90% of Yahoo leagues and the utility player is eligible at 2B, 3B, and SS, making his rosterability even more appealing.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
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