Blue Jays' Pearson dealing with groin strain

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Nate Pearson is dealing with a Grade 1 groin strain, the team announced, according to Hazel Mae of Sportsnet.

General manager Ross Atkins said Thursday that Pearson suffered the injury in his spring training outing Monday, but he doesn't expect the top prospect to miss much time.

Atkins said the team will proceed with caution and "make sure that pain is completely gone (before he pitches again)."

Pearson posted a 6.00 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 18 innings (four starts) last season. The 24-year-old missed five weeks in 2020 due to a flexor strain in his pitching elbow.