The Toronto Blue Jays utility man Ernie Clement is once again out of the starting lineup for a second straight game Saturday.
Clement has been one of Toronto's steadiest everyday pieces this season, slashing .294/.313/.443 with seven home runs and 28 RBIs while moving between second base, third base and shortstop. He carried that over from a historic October, when he set an MLB record with 30 hits in a single postseason during the Blue Jays' run to the World Series.
The 30-year-old has been dealing with left hip soreness that has now kept him off the lineup card two days in a row. Manager John Schneider offered some clarity on Clement's status, according to Sportsnet's Arden Zwelling.
Schneider said that while Clement is not in the starting lineup, he will be available off the bench on Saturday, and "if all goes according to plan," Clement will be ready to face off against the Cubs.
The Blue Jays have no choice but to be cautious whenever an injury starts to show, as the team has had to go through a tough first few months of the season full of injuries, even more so with a team that relies on Clement's glove and ability to get on base.
Toronto has hovered around .500 for much of the first half of the season as the defending American League champions, and the Sunday series finale against Chicago offers a good time to ease Clement back without forcing too much too quickly.
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Getting one of its most dependable defenders to full strength would give Schneider more flexibility as the Blue Jays continue to fight in the AL East.
