Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Nate Pearson is working on a new split-fingered fastball in camp as another pitch to complement his arsenal. "We're still working on it, but he threw some really good ones today that could be really effective at the major-league level," pitching coach Pete Walker said. Pearson is competing for a spot in the bullpen at spring training this year, and the Blue Jays view him as someone who could pitch up to three innings for them in relief. The 27-year-old hard-throwing righty has been set back by injuries early in his MLB career and continues to try and find his niche at the major-league level. So far in three seasons in Toronto, he has a 5.00 ERA and 1.41 WHIP with one save and 79 strikeouts in 75 2/3 innings over 52 outings (five starts). Pearson could eventually become a high-leverage reliever, but he can be avoided for now in most fantasy leagues.

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Nate Pearson has been recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday. The hard-throwing 26-year-old has been on and off the major league roster this season, pitching to a subpar 5.31 ERA, 1.205 WHIP, and 39:15 K/BB ratio over 39 innings (32 relief appearances). He's flashed some of the stuff that once made him a top prospect but he still has a ways to go and there's no fantasy appeal due to his low-leverage position in the Blue Jays bullpen. Relief pitcher Hagen Danner (oblique) has been placed on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move.

The Blue Jays recalled relief pitcher Nate Pearson ahead of Saturday's meeting with the Angels. Closer Jordan Romano (back) was placed on the 15-day injured list, so the team made a move to fill the void in the bullpen. The 26-year-old owns a 4.75 ERA with 36 strikeouts this season. Although Pearson could get some chances to close out games while Romano is out, he's not someone fantasy managers can depend on.

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Nate Pearson was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday following his poor performance during Saturday's loss to the Seattle Mariners. Pearson was roughed up by the M's in Saturday's appearance, allowing four runs while only getting one out, taking the loss. The 26-year-old hurler has flashed some elite stuff at times this season, and the future is bright, but Toronto needed to make room for the recently-acquired Genesis Cabrera on their roster. Pearson owns a 4.75 ERA, 1.167 WHIP, and 36:11 K/BB ratio over 36 innings (29 appearances) on the year. He'll be back in Toronto's bullpen soon enough.

The Toronto Blue Jays officially recalled right-hander Nate Pearson from Triple-A Buffalo on Monday and placed right-hander Adam Cimber (back, shoulder) on the 15-day injured list with a right rhomboid strain. Pearson, once one of Toronto's top starting pitching prospects, has moved to relief due to injuries in recent seasons. The hard-throwing 26-year-old has looked good in the early going in eight relief appearances in the minors and could eventually earn himself a high-leverage role in the back of the Blue Jays' bullpen if he keeps it going in the big leagues. Jordan Romano is the team's closer, but Pearson could be worth a look for his strikeout upside and for holds.

The Toronto Blue Jays are expected to call up right-hander Nate Pearson from Triple-A Buffalo on Monday ahead of their game against the Chicago White Sox, according to a source. Once one of Toronto's top starting pitching prospects, injuries have derailed the start of the 26-year-old's career, but he's healthy now and will likely be a high-leverage arm for the Jays out of the bullpen. In his eight relief appearances in the minors this year, Pearson allowed two runs on five hits while walking five and striking out 16 in 8 1/3 innings pitched. Fantasy managers shouldn't get too excited about Pearson's arrival in the big leagues again, but he should certainly be on the radar of those that are looking for strikeouts and holds in deeper leagues. He could eventually turn into a top setup man in the back of Toronto's bullpen ahead of closer Jordan Romano.

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Nate Pearson has missed most of the last two seasons due to injury, which is why he isn't being stretched out as a starter in spring training this year, but instead he's preparing for a bulk role. Pearson was sitting at 96-97 mph during live batting practice this week, and pitching coach Pete Walker said he's like what he's seen so far from Pearson. The 26-year-old flamethrower lost time in 2022 due to mononucleosis and a lat strain, but he's healthy in camp and ready to contribute. Pearson won't be a starting option for fantasy managers to open the 2023 season, but if healthy, he could eventually become a high-leverage reliever in Toronto's bullpen. He has yet to pitch more than 101 2/3 innings in the big leagues.

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Nate Pearson (lat) could be available as early as this weekend for the team, according to interim manager John Schneider. Pearson is scheduled to pitch on Tuesday for Triple-A Buffalo as part of his minor league rehab assignment, and his potential return will depend on his outing. The 26-year-old struck out one batter and didn't give up any hits or walks in a scoreless inning in his first rehab outing on Sunday for Single-A Dunedin. He has yet to pitch in a major-league game in 2022 due to injuries. With time running out in the regular season, Pearson will likely return to a relief role in Toronto down the stretch, severely limiting his fantasy value.

Toronto Blue Jays right-handed pitcher Nate Pearson (lat) will be shut down from throwing for three to four weeks. The 25-year-old was diagnosed with a lat strain this past week, delivering the youngster yet another setback in his path towards fulfilling his lofty prospect pedigree. Pearson came down with mononucleosis this spring, and the team was bringing him along slowly after the illness. Right as he seemed to be turning a corner, the lat strain flared up. He's made a total of five appearances in the minors this year, pitching at both Single-A and Triple-A. Across 7 2/3 frames, he's allowed four hits, three walks and three earned runs while striking out 10.

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Nate Pearson was diagnosed with a lat strain and his timetable has not yet been determined. Sigh. This is yet another injury for the former top prospect and one that will keep him out of the big leagues for a while longer. Pearson will need at least a few weeks to recover, and that is if the strain is very minimal. Knowing his history, it is likely that the Jays give Pearson extra time to recover. Once a coveted dynasty league player, Pearson's stock is dropping with each injury. The Jays had already begun looking at him in a bullpen role, and this injury might reaffirm that position.

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Nate Pearson (illness, shoulder) was removed from his outing at Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday due to right shoulder discomfort. He will be evaluated by the team over the next few days, according to Blue Jays reporter Mitch Bannon. Pearson came down with mononucleosis this spring and he has been working his way back ever since. He had been trending in the right direction lately, but Sunday's setback could greatly change his trajectory. The 25-year-old has made four rehab appearances at Triple-A this month and he's pitched a total of six innings, allowing three hits, two walks and two earned runs while striking out nine.

Toronto Blue Jays right-handed pitcher Nate Pearson (illness) is continuing his rehab at Triple-A Buffalo and he is expected to pitch in Wednesday's game. The 25-year-old has been on the shelf all year following a case of mononucleosis this spring. He made his first rehab start last week at Low-A Dunedin and allowed one earned run over 1 2/3 innings. Pearson has a great deal of potential, but he has yet to put things together in the majors. Over 33 MLB innings the past few years, he's pitched to a 5.18 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP.

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Nate Pearson (illness) made his first minor league rehab appearance of the year on Thursday for Low-A Dunedin, and he threw 30 pitches (18 strikes) over 1 2/3 frames. His fastball sat at 95 mph and touched 97 mph, while his slider was at 85 mph and induced a couple of swings and misses. The 25-year-old was sidelined with mononucleosis during spring training and is still working his way back. There remains no timetable for when he'll return, and Pearson is expected to have a long-relief role when he does make his season debut for Toronto. That will limit his fantasy appeal drastically.

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Nate Pearson (illness) will be sent out on a rehab assignment at Low-A Dunedin this week, according to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca. The 25-year-old threw a bullpen session on Monday and it seems as if the session was completed without any hitches. Pearson came down with mononucleosis this spring and he has been working his way back ever since. Last year, he made 12 appearances (one start) with the Blue Jays and went 1-1 with a 4.20 ERA and a 1.73 WHIP.

Toronto Blue Jays right-handed pitcher Nate Pearson (illness) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Tuesday. The 25-year-old has been on a slow buildup track this year. He came down with mononucleosis in April and hasn't progressed beyond throwing bullpen sessions as of yet. There is no timeline for his return to action. The next step in the process for Pearson will be live batting practice. After that, he will need a rehab assignment. If he's able to make it back to the majors this year, it's likely we'll see him in a middle relief or long relief role.

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Nate Pearson (illness) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Saturday, the first real step forward after his bout with mononucleosis. It will be a slower process for Pearson, similar to a spring training buildup, and the Blue Jays want to get him back to a starter's workload. A bulk or hybrid role remains possible for Pearson, but a decision on his role will likely come two or three weeks down the road. The hard-throwing right-hander has lots of fantasy upside thanks to his strikeout potential (12.9 K/9) last season, but he will not be making his season debut until sometime in May. Pearson is worth stashing in deeper mixed leagues.

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Nate Pearson (illness) threw on Saturday for the first time since experiencing mononucleosis in late March, according to Gregor Chisholm of the Toronto Star. Pearson will essentially have to start his build-up from scratch, so he may still be out for a while. The 25-year-old was used almost exclusively as a reliever in 2021, posting a 4.20 ERA and 16.9 BB%, but did manage a 28.2 K%. He has yet to find success after he had top prospect status in the Jays system, albeit with just 33 career innings under his belt. Fantasy managers should feel comfortable dropping Pearson in shallower leagues at this point, but if he does come back as a starter, keep an eye on how well he performs, as he may be a nice waiver wire addition.

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Nate Pearson (sports hernia) is being evaluated by the team this week. He is dealing with a sports hernia and there is a chance he will require a procedure soon. The 25-year-old had been dealing with the injury late in the season, but he pitched through it. He only managed to appear in 12 games for the Blue Jays this year, primarily pitching out of the bullpen. He had a 4.20 ERA and a 1.73 WHIP on the season. He could be a candidate for the back-end of the team's rotation next year, but he'll need a strong offseason to secure a spot there.

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Nate Pearson (sports hernia) recently completed a simulated game and is progressing in his recovery from a sports hernia. He's been sidelined since mid-June and is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo soon. Pearson is building up as a reliever and could return to the big leagues sometime in August. The 24-year-old will provide the Blue Jays bullpen depth, but fantasy managers can leave Pearson on the waiver wire in redraft leagues. The Blue Jays top prospect is aiming to earn a rotation spot in 2022.