Blue Jays, RHP Clement agree on minor league deal

Dec 12, 2008 - 1:43 AM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- The Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday reached an agreement on a minor league contract with veteran righthander Matt Clement, according to a report by mlb.com.

Clement, 34, has not made a major league start since June 14, 2006 due to surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder.

He made 16 appearances across three levels of the St. Louis Cardinals' minor league system last season, going 3-0 with a 5.23 ERA before being released in August.

"From what we understand, he's healthy," Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi told the web site earlier this week. "We've talked to him and we don't know where he stands on some things."

In nine years with the Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres and Florida Marlins, Clement owns an 87-86 record with a 4.47 ERA. He made the American League All-Star team with Boston in 2005.

Taking a flier on Clement makes sense for the Blue Jays, who likely will lose A.J. Burnett to free agency and be without Shaun Marcum and Dustin McGowan for much of 2009 due to arm surgeries.

Toronto also met with the agent for free-agent righthander Carl Pavano this week, according to the web site.