Here we go again.

The Cardinals sign a starting pitcher who is coming off surgery and a lengthy absence.

(In other words, his price was low, just the way team management likes it).

We are told that the pitcher is rehabbing wonderfully and will be ready to go by spring training, no problems, no worries, no fears. The Cardinals not only say that about the repaired pitchers they sign from the outside; they also make the same claims about their own pitchers who have undergone surgery and rehab. The best example, of course, is Mark Mulder.

Then in spring training, it is revealed that the pitcher isn’t quite ready, and that the timetable will be adjusted, and he’ll be pushed back, and Opening Day is unlikely.

Of course, when the Cardinals signed Matt Clement, we were told he was golden. 

Fully recovered from shoulder surgery. Good to go.

Uh, wrong again.

Looks like we were fooled again.

Pitching coach Dave Duncan doesn’t believe Clement will have the arm strength to be ready by April.

This episode is an important reminder: never believe it when the Cardinals insist that a rehabbing pitcher will return on schedule. The ballclub has simply been wrong too many times to have a shred of credibility on these matters.

Clement was a low-risk signing, and he still could pay off big. It wasn’t a bad move to take a chance on him. And Cardinals GM John Mozeliak didn’t mention the risk involved — but only in terms of performance, and not health, a disctinction that apparently has eluded otherwise intelligent Cardinals fans. 

The point is, I’m tired of the Cardinals spinning their nonsense on the medical status of their injured players. It just happens too often.

And like an idiot, I continually try to give them the benefit of the doubt, only to get burned again.

So with Clement’s status unclear, the Cardinals have only three starting pitchers that they can comfortably count on when the regular season opens: Adam Wainwright, Joel Pineiro and Braden Looper.

Workhorse Livan Hernandez, who cranks out 200-plus innings each year, could have been signed to a one-year contract for $5 million. That’s what Minnesota landed Hernandez for. Other non-rehabbing, non-injured starters are still on the market, including Jeff Weaver, Kyle Lohse, and Josh  Fogg.

Here’s a novel idea: why not sign a guy who is healthy, and who is capable of pitching as soon as he puts the uniform on?

Then again, those type of pitchers cost money, right?

Certainly, a team that sets attendance records in a profit-driving new ballpark can’t afford to spend money on starting pitching…

(Miklasz wrote, sarcastically).

As for Clement: we’ll see you when you’re finally ready to go. This isn’t your fault.

Have fun hanging out with Mulder in Dr. Paletta’s office.

-B