Blue Jays' Steve Pearce: Preferred to be every-day outfielder

Pearce, who was previously presumed to be in line for a platoon role at first base, is the Jays' preferred every-day left fielder, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet reports.

Pearce is slated to be ready for Opening Day after having elbow surgery in September, but whether he'll have the arm strength to play the outfield still remains uncertain. On Saturday, general manager Ross Atkins said Justin Smoak playing every day at first base with Pearce in left is the club's "best-case scenario," the first time in which Atkins has explicitly said such. The optimal situation would work out for Pearce from a fantasy standpoint, as he'd likely be in line for more at-bats without having to platoon with Smoak at first base.