The Cubs optioned Pearson to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
The right-hander was a key bullpen piece down the stretch for the Cubs last season with a 2.73 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 23:4 K:BB across 26.1 innings, but he surrendered 10 earned runs across his first eight outings of 2025 to earn the demotion. Pearson could rejoin the big club later in the year if he can get back on track at Triple-A.
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Cubs' Nate Pearson: Receives $1.35 million for 2025
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The Cubs and Pearson avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.35 million contract on Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
Pearson posted a 2.73 ERA in 19 appearances after being acquired by the Cubs at the trade deadline, although that came with just 23 strikeouts in 26.1 innings. The former top prospect could potentially find himself working in high-leverage spots out of the Cubs' bullpen in 2025.
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Cubs' Nate Pearson: Set to open Monday's game
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Pearson is slated to serve as the Cubs' opening pitcher for Monday's game against the Phillies, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Pearson will be making his major-league start since 2021, when he was a member of the Blue Jays. He made the full-time conversion to the bullpen in 2022 and hasn't covered more than two innings in any appearance since being acquired by the Cubs in late July, so Pearson likely won't cover more than the opening frame or two before giving way to the bullpen. Hayden Wesneski, who was activated from the 15-day injured list Friday, is a candidate to be used in bulk relief once Pearson is done for the day.
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Cubs' Nate Pearson: Takes loss Wednesday
Rotowire
Pearson (2-2) allowed two runs on four hits across 1.1 innings of relief to take the loss Wednesday against the Athletics. He struck out one.
Pearson continued his recent struggles, as he gave up runs for the third straight outing, and this was the worst appearance of the bunch. The righty has seen his ERA creep up to 4.76, and he's simply been too volatile to be trusted in most fantasy formats. Pearson will continue to have a role for the Cubs out of the bullpen as the regular season wraps up, though he should mostly see low-leverage work.
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Cubs' Nate Pearson: Makes team debut
Rotowire
Pearson allowed a solo home run across 1.1 innings of relief in Monday's 7-1 loss to the Reds. He struck out one.
Pearson was making his team debut after coming over from the Blue Jays on Saturday in exchange for prospects Josh Rivera and Yohendrick Pinango. The 27-year-old righty has mostly struggled this season with a 5.66 ERA across 41.1 innings, though he does have 52 strikeouts. Pearson should settle into a middle relief role for the Cubs moving forward.
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Blue Jays' Nate Pearson: Battling illness
Rotowire
Pearson is away from the team Saturday due to an illness, Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star reports.
Pearson wasn't feeling well when he arrived to the ballpark Saturday, so the Jays sent him home in order to rest. He has already tested negative for COVID-19 and the flu, so he should be viewed as day-to-day going forward.
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Blue Jays' Nate Pearson: Picks up second save
Rotowire
Pearson notched his second save of the season Sunday against Cleveland, retiring the only batter he faced to preserve a 7-6 lead.
Pearson came on in the ninth inning with two outs and runners on the corners, inducing an Andres Gimenez lineout to end the game. Pearson came on to relieve Yimi Garcia, who was forced to leave the game early due to elbow soreness. While both Garcia and incumbent closer Jordan Romano (elbow) are sidelined, save chances will be available for Pearson and fellow relievers Chad Green and Tim Mayza. The 27-year-old Pearson has compiled a 4.23 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP across 27.2 innings, adding four holds and two saves.
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Blue Jays' Nate Pearson: Bags third hold
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Pearson gave up a run on two hits while striking out one in an inning of relief Sunday to record his third hold of the season in an extra-inning win over the A's.
Brent Rooker tagged him for a solo shot, narrowing the Blue Jays' lead to 2-1, but Pearson otherwise held Oakland at bay. The right-hander has seen more high-leverage work of late with Jordan Romano (elbow) sidelined, producing all three of his holds since May 27, and over six appearances during that time Pearson has posted a 3.38 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 8:1 K:BB.
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Blue Jays' Nate Pearson: Collects second career save
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Pearson gave up two hits and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Monday to record his first save of the season in a win over the Royals.
With Jordan Romano and Yimi Garcia having pitched each of the prior two days, and Erik Swanson getting deployed in the eighth inning Monday, closing duties fell to Pearson and he handled them well en route to his second career save. The 27-year-old right-hander fired 11 of 16 pitches for strikes, and his fastball reached 100 mph as he struck out Michael Massey to end the game. Pearson has been scored upon only once in 11 big-league appearances this season, and while his control has wavered at times, he sports a 1.80 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 12:6 K:BB through 10 innings. The Blue Jays have a deep bullpen, but Pearson is making a case to at least be a part-time member of the high-leverage crew.
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Blue Jays' Nate Pearson: Back in majors
Rotowire
The Blue Jays recalled Pearson from Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Pearson has thrown 6.1 scoreless innings in the majors this season, and he'll get another opportunity to rejoin the Jays' bullpen as Chad Green (shoulder) moves to the injured list. The 27-year-old right-hander will presumably continue serving in middle relief while in Toronto.
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Blue Jays' Nate Pearson: Sent down to minors
Rotowire
Pearson was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo by the Blue Jays on Tuesday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.
This is simply a case of the fact Pearson has options left working against him, as he's been outstanding this season with a 9:3 K:BB over 6.1 shutout innings out of Toronto's bullpen. He will be back soon enough.
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Blue Jays' Nate Pearson: Sharp in Sunday's win
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Pearson struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning Sunday during a 5-0 win over the Rockies.
It wasn't a high-leverage spot, but Pearson still mowed down the heart of Colorado's order on 16 pitches (10 strikes). The right-hander has been impressive to begin the season, posting a 0.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 9:3 K:BB through 6.1 innings as he adjusts to a relief role, but until he starts being entrusted with more responsibility, his fantasy value with be limited -- Pearson has zero wins, holds or saves in six appearances.
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Blue Jays' Nate Pearson: Part of Opening Day bullpen
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Pearson will begin the season on the Blue Jays' 26-man roster.
The 27-year-old right-hander still has a big fastball, averaging 97.9 mph over 42.2 big-league innings last season, but Pearson only managed a 4.85 ERA and 43:18 K:BB. With Jordan Romano (elbow) and Erik Swanson (forearm) on the IL to kick off the campaign, there's a spot in the Opening Day bullpen for Pearson, but he hasn't been mentioned by manager John Schneider as a candidate to fill in for Romano in the ninth inning and will likely work in lower-leverage situations.
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Blue Jays' Nate Pearson: Could sneak onto Opening Day roster
Rotowire
Pearson's chances of breaking camp on the big-league roster would improve significantly if Jordan Romano (elbow) or Erik Swanson (forearm) need to begin the season on the injured list, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
The one-time top prospect appeared to be on the outside looking in for a spot in the bullpen this spring, but the Blue Jays could have one or two unexpected vacancies to fill. Pearson still wouldn't be expected to handle a high-leverage role, but a hot start to the campaign could change his usage. The 27-year-old right-hander has posted a 9:3 K:BB through seven spring innings and has been working a splitter into his repertoire in camp as a complement to his premium fastball, but ultimately Pearson's control and command will determine if he can establish himself as a reliable big-league arm.
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Blue Jays' Nate Pearson: Working on splitter
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Pearson is attempting to add a split-finger fastball to his arsenal, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.
"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 Sunday. Injuries and control issues have prevented Pearson from reaching his ceiling, but the 27-year-old right-hander still features premium fastball velocity (96th percentile last season) and is trying to find himself as a high-leverage reliever. Toronto's bullpen picture is crowded and Pearson still has a minor-league option left, however, so he might need to dominate this spring to make the Opening Day roster.
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Blue Jays' Nate Pearson: Avoids arbitration
Rotowire
Pearson agreed to a one-year, $800K deal with the Blue Jays on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
He won't be getting a significant raise after logging a 4.85 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 43 strikeouts in 42.2 innings with the big club last season. Pearson still throws pretty hard, but he also gives up a lot of hard contact (47.5 percent last year). He should work in the middle innings this season.
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Blue Jays' Nate Pearson: Sent back to Triple-A
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Pearson was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Pearson tossed one scoreless inning during his most recent stint in the big leagues, which lasted only a few days. Although he has pitched well in spurts during his time with the Blue Jays this season, a few rocky appearances has led to the hard thrower posting a 5.18 ERA out of the bullpen.
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Blue Jays' Nate Pearson: Back in big leagues
Rotowire
Pearson was recalled by the Blue Jays on Saturday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.
This will be Pearson's third separate stint in the majors this season. He's worked exclusively as a reliever, struggling to a 5.31 ERA in 39 innings. He's struck out 44.6 percent of the batters he's faced in 12 Triple-A innings this season but has seen that figure dip to 23.6 percent against big-league batters. Hagen Danner (oblique) landed on the injured list in a corresponding move.
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Blue Jays' Nate Pearson: Optioned to Buffalo
Rotowire
Toronto optioned Pearson to Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Pearson allowed four earned runs on one hit and three walks in a one-inning appearance Tuesday against the Orioles as his season ERA climbed to 5.31. Thomas Hatch is replacing him in the Blue Jays' bullpen.
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Blue Jays' Nate Pearson: Goes to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Blue Jays optioned Pearson to Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.
Pearson will surrender his spot in the bullpen to left-hander Genesis Cabrera, whom the Blue Jays acquired from the Cardinals via trade Friday. The demotion comes after Pearson was roughed up for six earned runs across his last two appearances, which had been proceeded by a run of eight consecutive scoreless outings.
