Matt

Clement

“It is what it is,” manager Dusty Baker said of Clement. “We’ll probably skip him a turn, and hopefully he can have a couple of bullpens and get it together.” Health does not appear to be an issue, so there might be a little punishment here. The Cubs thought they had the perfect plan to sweep Florida Monday when Mark Prior shut down the Marlins in the first game while many Cubs’ hitters, including Sammy Sosa, rested for Game 2, in which Florida was starting reliever David Weathers against Clement. Then Clement allowed Weathers to out-pitch him. He’s 0-2 with a 7.63 ERA in his last four starts.

Clement has a 3.68 ERA on the season despite a 7.63 ERA in his last four games. Since he’s healthy, he deserves better treatment, at least in the communication dept., than he has received the last week. While Mark Prior and Kerry Wood missed time with injuries this season, Clement and Victor Zambrano kept the Cubs afloat. “You know what, guys?” Clement said, admitting the last week has been tough on him, “I can’t give you many answers. I’m going to do what they think is best for the team. I’ll be here rooting them on, and hopefully we win the whole dang thing.” Clement owners in need of wins may want to go another direction in the final week.

Clement left his last start with tightness in the lower left side of his back.

“It feels like a day after, maybe a little achier than normal,” Clement said.

Clement is scheduled to pitch Monday’s home opener. He will test the back today during a bullpen session. Manager Dusty Baker acknowledged Clement is getting better.

Manager Dusty Baker said that Clement will not start Sunday. Glendon Rusch will face the Marlins instead. He’ll get treatment Thursday, and try to throw a bullpen session Friday.

''I guess a little better, if you can say that,’' Clement Thursday. He wants to wait until Saturday before throwing a bullpen session. If Clement can’t go, manager Dusty Baker said that Juan Cruz would probably be the first option.

It’s going to take more than that now. It’s believed that Toronto has a better offer on the table, and Cleveland, which is near Matt Clement’s home, has made a similar proposal. The Red Sox, White Sox and Dodgers could also be in the running for Clement.

The Diamondbacks seem certain to sign a veteran shortstop and Aurilia, Royce Clayton and Alex Gonzalez are among the candidates to take Alex Cintron’s job. Whether they’ll also land a top free agent starting pitcher remains to be seen. They may have to settle for a couple of lesser names.

"[Indians GMMark Shapiro] called early in the process,” said Barry Axelrod, Clement’s agent. “We got calls from 10 or 12 people. Some of them say, ‘Yeah, we’re interested.’ There was a little more to it than that with Mark. The interest is mutual.” Brad Radke is believed to be at the top of Cleveland’s list, but he might be out of reach if the team is serious about signing either Armando Benitez or Troy Percival to close. Clement should be more affordable.