Blue Jays – Clement, Schneider, and Vogelbach secure Opening Day roster spots

Following the Blue Jays’ 2-0 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, it appears manager John Schneider is getting some internal affairs in order.

As per Sportsnet’s Arden Zwelling, the Jays’ skipper informed INF Davis Schneider, INF Ernie Clement, and DH Daniel Vogelbach that all three players would be making the trip to Tropicana Field when Toronto opens the campaign on March 28th against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Schneider appears poised to platoon with Cavan Biggio for the second base spot but has also been getting some left-field reps this spring. The Jays had asked the New Jersey product to get some outfield work this offseason, seemingly to replace what the Jays lost with Whit Merrifield signing with the Philadelphia Phillies this past winter. After breaking through at the big league level last August, Schneider went 7 for 41 this spring (.171) with two home runs, three RBIs and a .596 OPS. He also made a highlight reel grab in left field last week, a diving snag on a ball trailing away from him that prevented an extra-base hit.

Clement, Schneider, and Vogelbach secure spots on the Blue Jays Opening Day roster

For Clement, the New York product put on an impressive showing this spring that forced the Blue Jays coaching staff to consider him to the Opening Day roster.

At the plate, Clement put forward a .356/.383/.644 slash line through 16 games, adding three home runs and eight RBIs to the tune of a 1.027 OPS. His elite contact rate saw him strike out just once this spring and his ability to play multiple infield decisions saw him out-compete other internal options for a spot on the Blue Jays roster to start the year. Additionally, Clement was out of Minor League options and would need to be DFA’d had he not made the team, with the 28-year-old likely being claimed by another squad after a successful Spring Training camp.