Ernie Clement just made baseball history – but not the kind he's used to. Ahead of Team USA's exhibition game against the Colorado Rockies, manager Mark DeRosa made an unexpected decision, moving Clement to left field and slotting him eighth in the lineup – marking the first time in Clement's professional career that he played the outfield.
The utility infielder Ernie Clement emerged as the most surprising contributor to the Blue Jays' World Series run, setting the MLB record for most hits in a single postseason with 30 hits across 18 games last October. He finished the postseason with a .411 batting average, .416 on-base percentage and .977 OPS, including one home run and nine RBIs. That kind of dominance earned him a spot on Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
But with Team USA's infield featuring three All-Stars – Alex Bregman, Bobby Witt Jr. and Gunnar Henderson – all superior offensive players, there was uncertainty about where Clement fit. With Team USA possessing one of the deepest rosters in the WBC, it was unclear where Clement would fit or whether he would simply be a bench option.
DeRosa's move solved the puzzle. The move also gives Clement a real chance to get on the field and make an impact, valuable experience he can carry back into Blue Jays camp once the tournament wraps up. He flashed his defensive instincts in his new role, making a sliding catch in left field on a ball hit by Rockies third baseman Kyle Karros in the bottom of the inning. Pete Crow-Armstrong followed with a double down the first base line that pushed Clement to third, where he soon dashed home on a passed ball to even the score.
Clement will enter his fourth season with the Blue Jays in 2026, having joined the club on a minor-league deal in 2023 and flourished ever since, with his rise from depth piece to postseason standout reshaping how the Blue Jays view his long-term role, and his continued growth could make him one of the most impactful utility players in baseball this season.