Blue Jays top prospect Pearson not on Opening Day roster

Nate Pearson will have to wait to make his MLB debut.

The Toronto Blue Jays' top pitching prospect was not included on the team's 30-man roster for Opening Day, but he was listed on the taxi squad.

It's believed that Pearson won't have to wait long, however. The right-hander is expected to be activated to the major-league roster July 29, a source told Jamie Campbell of Sportsnet.

Toronto will gain an additional year of team control by waiting until that date rather than including him on the Opening Day roster.

Pearson is the team's top-ranked prospect and the No. 8 prospect overall, according to MLB Pipeline. He enjoyed a sensational spring training during which he posted a 1.29 ERA with a 14.1 K/9 across seven innings.

The 23-year-old phenom pitched to a 2.30 ERA across three minor-league levels in 2019.