Blue Jays recall Ernie Clement as Matt Chapman lands on the 10-day Injured List

Matt Chapman is headed to the 10-day Injured List with a right middle finger sprain.

He was pulled during Sunday’s loss to the Cleveland Guardians. Chapman grounded out in his first at-bat and drew a walk in his second before Whit Merrifield pinch-hit for him in the sixth.

Chapman missed a few games earlier this month because of this same injury and his performance at the plate since would suggest that it was having a considerable effect on him. He hurt his finger lifting weights in the gym and came back into the lineup in the first game of the Cincinnati series and went 5-for-32 with only one extra-base hit over his next nine games.

All told, Chapman has slashed a .248/.338/.431 line with 15 home runs and 36 doubles over 520 plate appearances this season. He started off the season with an MVP-calibre month of April and hasn’t been able to get back to that same level since.

Coming up from Triple-A Buffalo will be Ernie Clement. The 27-year-old journeyman was signed as a minor-league free agent back in March and was added to the 40-man roster in May. He’s gone 4-for-8 with a couple of RBIs over a few stints with the Blue Jays this season.

Though many were hoping to see a top prospect like Addison Barger or Orelvis Martinez get a call-up, Clement has put up huge numbers for the Bisons this year. Over 69 games in Triple-A, Clement has a .339 batting average and a .927 OPS with 25 walks compared to 15 strikeouts.