Clement, Blue Jays strike minor-league deal

Remember the signings of pitchers Tomo Ohka, John Thomson and Victor Zambrano blowing up in the face of the Toronto Blue Jays?

Well, general manager J.P. Ricciardi is rolling the dice again.

The Blue Jays on Friday announced they had reached an agreement on a minor-league contract with one-time San Diego Padres prospect Matt Clement.

The right-hander last pitched in the majors for Boston in 2006 before he was shut down after 12 starts because of shoulder problems.

"From what we understand, he's healthy," said Ricciardi, who pushed hard for the hurler in 2004 but lost out to the Red Sox. "We've talked to him and we don't know where he stands on some things."

Clement will receive an invitation to spring training with the Jays, who are looking to shore up their rotation following an injury to Shaun Marcum that will keep him out for the upcoming season. Dustin McGowan is also injured, although the team says he may be ready to pitch in May.

Earlier this week at baseball's winter meetings in Las Vegas, Ricciardi confirmed the Blue Jays were interested in Clement, 34, who had major surgery two years ago to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder.

In 2008, he appeared in 16 rehabilitation outings between three levels within the St. Louis Cardinals organization after signing a one-year, $1.5-million US deal.

"I wouldn't be signing a contract with someone if I didn't think I could," Clement said on a conference call. "I have three sons and a wife, I'm not going to chase the dream just because I was there before … I wouldn't have even talked to another team if I didn't think I could get back to the major leagues.

"And I have a desire to prove that I can beat the surgery I've had."

AL all-star in 2005

Clement has posted an 87-86 record and 4.47 earned-run average over nine major league seasons. He made at least 30 starts for seven consecutive seasons before encountering shoulder woes.

He made the American League all-star team in 2005 and finished that season with a 13-6 mark and 4.57 ERA.

Ricciardi reportedly also met with the agent for former New York Yankees righty Carl Pavano this week in Las Vegas.

The 32-year-old spent much of the past four seasons on the disabled list, compiling a 9-8 mark and 5.00 ERA in 26 starts.

Ohka posted a 2-5 record with a 5.79 ERA in 10 starts for Toronto, who signed him Jan. 25, 2007, for $1.5 million.

Thomson was released by the Blue Jays on June 20, 2007, after he didn't throw a single pitch for the team, spending the season on the DL with shoulder problems after signing for $500,000.

Zambrano was released on July 9, 2007, after he appeared in eight games for Toronto, making two starts. He registered a 3-2 record and 7.40 ERA on a rehab assignment with triple-A Syracuse.