Toronto Blue Jays flamethrower Nate Pearson is back in the majors for the first time since 2021.
Pearson was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Monday and will be active in Toronto's bullpen for its game against the Chicago White Sox, the team announced. He'll take the roster spot of reliever Adam Cimber, who was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right rhomboid strain.
The 26-year-old was once a top pitching prospect in the Blue Jays' system and considered a potential elite starter with a blistering fastball. However, a slew of injuries since his big-league debut in 2020 has halted his progress.
While he'd been expected to play a big role on the 2022 Blue Jays in some capacity, Pearson was late getting his season started while recovering from mononucleosis. He then suffered a lat strain during his minor-league rehab stint that ultimately kept him out of the majors for the entire season.
Pearson's gotten off to a great start in 2023 while pitching exclusively in relief for the Bisons. In 8.1 innings with Buffalo this month, he owns a 2.16 ERA and 1.20 WHIP with 16 strikeouts, five walks, and one save.
The Florida native owns a 5.18 ERA with 36 strikeouts and 25 walks across 17 big-league appearances (five starts) with Toronto from 2020-21. He also threw two shutout innings in the 2020 playoffs.
Cimber, meanwhile, was struggling before his injury, posting a 4.50 ERA and 7.53 FIP with six strikeouts and four walks through 11 outings for the Blue Jays. The 32-year-old has been one of Toronto's most reliable relievers since joining the team in 2021 and pitched in a league-leading 77 games last year.
