TORONTO - The Toronto Blue Jays signed former all-star pitcher Matt Clement to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training Friday.
The 34-year-old has been hampered by a series of shoulder problems since the 2006 season, when he last pitched in the majors. Clement signed a $1US.5-million, one-year contract with St. Louis last January before he was released in the summer. He threw 32 2-3 innings over 16 appearances, four starts, at three levels of the minors in 2008.
His addition gives the Blue Jays another option for their thin starting rotation, which right now includes ace Roy Halladay, Jesse Litsch and David Purcey with the looming loss of free agent A.J. Burnett.
General manager J.P. Ricciardi doesn't expect Burnett to return and with a limited budget, reclamation-project pitchers are what fits into his price-range this off-season.
The Blue Jays first pursued Clement when he became a free agent after the 2004 season, but he signed a three-year deal with the Boston Red Sox instead.
(The Canadian Press)
