Blue Jays must make Ernie Clement move to return to MLB playoffs
The Toronto Blue Jays have a tough decision to make on infielder Ernie Clement.
With just a game separating them from the Cleveland Guardians, the Toronto Blue Jays are in a strong position to secure a playoff spot. However, the team's chances hinge on their players delivering their best performances. Unfortunately, the team's versatile utility infielder Ernie Clement has been struggling. Despite his usual contributions, Clement's fielding and speed have not been up to par in 2026.
According to Baseball Savant, he has a fielding run value of minus-4, primarily due to his weak throwing arm. Additionally, Clement has only stolen three bases since the All-Star break. While his versatility is valuable, his performance at the positions he plays most often is concerning. His batting average has dropped to .227 since the break, with a .360 on-base percentage and .542 OPS.
He has only one home run and 14 RBIs since then. Clement has only eight extra-base hits during this period. As the Blue Jays prepare for their final series against the Athletics, they are considering moving Clement out of their everyday lineup to give other players more opportunities. Options like Josh Smith and Charles McAdoo could be utilized in certain matchups.
Manager John Schneider must now weigh these lineup decisions carefully, as every choice carries significant consequences with the playoffs on the line.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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