Blue Jays’ Ernie Clement reflects on wild week following HBP scare
After being taking a pitch to the face Monday, Ernie Clement was back in the Blue Jays’ lineup by Thursday. He went on to homer two times in the next three days. Ben Nicholson-Smith has more on Clement’s wild week.
DUNEDIN, Fla. – This wasn’t the week Ernie Clement was expecting.
Playing in Lakeland, Fla. against the Tigers Monday, he took a 91 m.p.h. pitch to the face from right-hander Ty Madden. By Thursday, he was back in the lineup, hitting a home run on the first pitch he saw. On Saturday, he played for the third game in a row and homered for the second time in three days.
Along the way, he received a considerate text from the pitcher who plunked him, started wearing a new helmet and continued daily defensive work to prepare for his starting role at third base. Finally, on Sunday, the pace slowed a little for Clement, who stayed back to work out at the Blue Jays’ player development complex with the likes of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and Andres Gimenez while others played a couple hours south in Port Charlotte, Fla.
After his workout ended, Clement reflected on the week that was, his bruised lip looking remarkably unremarkable considering the events of the last seven days.
/* if ( "1" == true && 'undefined' !== typeof window.getIndexAds ) { var so = {preroll:{1:{1:{siteID:191888},2:{siteID:191889}}}}; adServerUrl = window.getIndexAds( 'http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6369688094112&cmsid=384', so, permalink); } else { adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6369688094112&cmsid=384"; } */ adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6369688094112&cmsid=384"; var adServerUrl_result = adServerUrl.includes("cust_params"); var queryString=''; if(adServerUrl_result){ var gettheDUFI = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) gettheDUFI = localStorage.getItem("theRED_loc");
if(gettheDUFI){ queryString += "dufiid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; queryString += "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; var ppid = "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; }
var DUFI_IP = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) DUFI_IP = sessionStorage.getItem("DUFI_IP");
if(DUFI_IP){ queryString += "dufiip=" + DUFI_IP + '&'; }
adServerUrl = adServerUrl.replace(/cust_params=/, ppid + 'cust_params=' + encodeURIComponent(queryString) ); }
$el.after( unescape("%3Cscript src=\"" + (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\" %3E%3C/script%3E") );
$( document ).one( 'ready', function() { $( "#video_container-223103" ).SNPlayer( { bc_account_id: "1704050871", bc_player_id: "JCdte3tMv", //autoplay: true, //is_has_autoplay_switch: false, bc_videos: 6369688094112, is_has_continuous_play: "false", adserverurl: adServerUrl, section: "", thumbnail: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/6369688094112-1024x576.jpg", direct_url: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/video/blue-jays-clement-schneider-go-deep-for-back-to-back-homers/" }); });
“I mean, it’s definitely a scare when that kind of thing happens,” he told Sportsnet. “Getting back, I wanted to get back into the games as soon as possible. I feel like the more you think on it and relive it, that can cause some issues. So I just wanted to get back in there as soon as possible and obviously swinging at the first pitch there was kind of on brand. I wasn’t going to wait around for sure. So it’s just nice to be back out there.”
Of course, Clement did more than just take the field. The two home runs he’s hit since the incident go a long way toward reestablishing some comfort and positive momentum. Given the potential mental hurdle of stepping back into the batter’s box after such a scary moment, his teammates and coaches appreciated Clement’s resilience.
“Dang, first at-bat back,” said Bichette, who took ground balls on the left side of the infield alongside Clement, Gimenez and Guerrero Jr. as part of Sunday’s workout. “Pretty cool.”
“He’s not fazed,” said starter Chris Bassitt. “Ernie’s wired a little different.”
“A hockey player at heart,” said manager John Schneider.
/* if ( "1" == true && 'undefined' !== typeof window.getIndexAds ) { var so = {preroll:{1:{1:{siteID:191888},2:{siteID:191889}}}}; adServerUrl = window.getIndexAds( 'http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6369456444112&cmsid=384', so, permalink); } else { adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6369456444112&cmsid=384"; } */ adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6369456444112&cmsid=384"; var adServerUrl_result = adServerUrl.includes("cust_params"); var queryString=''; if(adServerUrl_result){ var gettheDUFI = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) gettheDUFI = localStorage.getItem("theRED_loc");
if(gettheDUFI){ queryString += "dufiid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; queryString += "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; var ppid = "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; }
var DUFI_IP = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) DUFI_IP = sessionStorage.getItem("DUFI_IP");
if(DUFI_IP){ queryString += "dufiip=" + DUFI_IP + '&'; }
adServerUrl = adServerUrl.replace(/cust_params=/, ppid + 'cust_params=' + encodeURIComponent(queryString) ); }
$el.after( unescape("%3Cscript src=\"" + (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\" %3E%3C/script%3E") );
$( document ).one( 'ready', function() { $( "#video_container-240939" ).SNPlayer( { bc_account_id: "1704050871", bc_player_id: "JCdte3tMv", //autoplay: true, //is_has_autoplay_switch: false, bc_videos: 6369456444112, is_has_continuous_play: "false", adserverurl: adServerUrl, section: "", thumbnail: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/6369456444112-1024x576.jpg", direct_url: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/video/think-were-going-to-score-some-runs-clement-loving-jays-2025-lineup/" }); });
A new helmet could feel uncomfortable at first, but clearly, the new C-flap Clement’s wearing for added protection hasn’t gotten in the way of his ability to see pitches.
“Everybody was joking that I should have been wearing it the whole time because it’s got some added power,” Clement said. “I wish I’d started wearing it a week earlier, but it’s good to have it on now. Just knowing that you have that added protection is good for some peace of mind.”
The day after the incident, Clement got a message from Madden, a 25-year-old on the edges of the Tigers’ roster who has all of six career appearances in the big-leagues. They didn’t know one another previously, but the pitcher asked for Clement’s number and took the time to send a message wishing him well in a display of sportsmanship that didn’t go unnoticed.
“That was really, really cool,” Clement said. “I want to make sure he’s not affected by it too much. It’s tough on both sides. I’m sure seeing that nothing serious happened will help him, but I hope he’s doing all right, too.”
-
-
MLB on Sportsnet
Watch the Toronto Blue Jays, Blue Jays Central pre-game, marquee MLB matchups, Jays in 30, original documentaries, the wild card, divisional series, championship series and entire World Series on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
Having gotten through such a challenging week, Clement can now return his focus to the field. He produced 3.4 wins above replacement for the Blue Jays in 2024, largely due to excellent defence at third base, and at the plate, he hit .263 with a .692 OPS.
That performance earned him something he has never before had in the major-leagues: a starting job. While he might play a little shortstop and second base depending on how the Blue Jays’ depth chart evolves over the course of the season, he now projects as their primary third baseman, and it’s a challenge that excites him.
“It’s a lot to build off,” Clement said. “Playing 140 games or so is something I hadn’t done before, so I know physically what my body needs. I have a lot to work on for sure – offensively and defensively, so we’re rolling here and I feel good. I’m ready to roll. I wish the season would start now.”
