MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins signed infielder Jeff Clement, a former No. 3 overall pick, to a minor league contract Monday. The contract includes an invite to major league spring training.
Clement, 29, was the third overall pick in the 2005 draft when the Seattle Mariners took him after Justin Upton and Alex Gordon. But since then, Clement has played in just 152 major league games. He was not in the majors in 2009 or 2011 and spent 23 games with the Pittsburgh Pirates last season. He batted .136 with one RBI and a double in 24 plate appearances.
Clement had microfracture surgery on his left knee late in the 2010 season, which caused him to miss most of the 2011 season. He played in 31 total games in the minors that year, including 22 at Triple-A Indianapolis.
In 152 career major league games, Clement batted .218 with 39 RBI and 15 doubles. He played both first base and catcher.
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