Clement goes to specialist

At the end of the most maddening summer of his career, Red Sox pitcher Matt Clement has traveled to Alabama to see noted orthopedist James Andrews, with the hope that he may finally find answers to why he has not been able to pitch since mid-June, a mystery that has made him a target of innuendo both in and out of the Sox clubhouse.

Clement was scheduled to undergo an MRI yesterday, according to his agent, Barry Axelrod, with the expectation that he will undergo exploratory surgery today to determine the cause of discomfort in his right shoulder.

``So far, all the diagnostics that have been done have not shown any major problems," Axelrod said yesterday by phone. ``There is mutual frustration on the part of Matt and the ball club over [Clement's inability to pitch].

``There's got to be something wrong. We don't think they're going to find any major tears, but perhaps there is some sort of impingement, spurring, or fraying that hasn't shown up."

Regardless of Andrews's diagnosis, the likelihood is strong that the Sox will not go into next season with Clement as part of their starting rotation. General manager Theo Epstein may find teams reluctant to trade for Clement until they are satisfied his right shoulder is healthy, but indications are that the Sox are committed to moving the 32-year-old righthander by the start of the 2007 season, even if it means having to absorb part of the $9.5 million salary due him next season.

A trade would bring to a close what has turned into an unhappy chapter in Clement's career, one that had begun with such promise when he became an All-Star for the first time in his career last season, his first with the Red Sox. But two weeks after striking out Carlos Beltran of the Mets in a scoreless inning at the All-Star Game, Clement was struck in the head by a line drive hit by Tampa Bay's Carl Crawford.

He would return to the mound eight days later, but he was just 3-4 with a 5.72 ERA after the break and absorbed a wicked beating by the White Sox in Game 1 of the Division Series, allowing eight runs in 3 1/3 innings. This season, he was just 5-5 with a 6.61 ERA when he went on the disabled list after walking six and giving up five hits in just 4 2/3 innings against the Twins June 14.

Originally diagnosed with biceps tendinitis, Clement was expected to respond to rest and anti-inflammatory medication. But when he began a throwing program after the All-Star break, the discomfort persisted, and on July 31 he was transferred to the 60-day disabled list. From that point on, he became a spectral presence in the clubhouse, and absent a clear understanding of what was wrong with the shoulder, he was subjected to a range of speculation as to why he couldn't pitch, including whispers that he'd lost his desire.

``I've discussed it with Matt," Axelrod said. ``We've heard about it. I've talked to Theo about it. Theo has been a supporter of Matt. I think we've had a very fair and open discussion.

``People have said it's because he was hit by the line drive, because of the horrifying media, because of horrible fans. We've talked about it, and Matt bristles at it. He says people forget that he was pitching eight days after he got hit by the line drive. He says the media in Chicago when the Cubs were unsuccessful were every bit as difficult as Boston, and that Wrigley Field is no easier than Fenway Park to pitch in.

``I don't want Matt to be the focal point of a divided clubhouse, but certain guys support him, and other guys question him."

Clement had hoped to pitch before the end of the season, but he cut short a bullpen session here Friday after throwing just a half-dozen pitches.

``According to the way Matt described it, when he is ready to turn it loose, he can't turn it loose," said Axelrod. ``I don't know if discomfort is the right word, but some sort of hindrance occurs.

``In Matt's opinion, it's a health issue. No one is blaming anybody, but so far no one has been able to figure it out."

Perhaps Andrews will today. Too late to salvage this lost season, but perhaps not too late to save Clement's flagging reputation.