Blue Jays call up Nate Pearson, send Adam Cimber to IL
Posted April 24, 2023 3:40 pm.
Last Updated April 24, 2023 3:46 pm.
The Toronto Blue Jays called up former top pitching prospect Nate Pearson from Triple-A Buffalo, the club announced on Monday.
Reliever Adam Cimber was placed on the 15-day injured list with a back injury, diagnosed as a right rhomboid strain.
Pearson, 26, has pitched out of the bullpen for the Buffalo Bisons this season and looked sharp, striking out 16 batters across 8 1/3 innings to the tune of a 2.16 ERA. He will be active on Monday night when the Blue Jays host the Chicago White Sox at the Rogers Centre.
Drafted in the first round (28th overall) in 2017 by the Blue Jays, the hard-throwing right-hander has always been regarded for his velocity and upside but has struggled to stay healthy in recent years.
Pearson’s longest run in the majors came in 2020 when he appeared in five games (four starts) and finished with a 6.00 ERA, with 13 walks and 16 strikeouts across 18 innings.
Pearson was in the mix for a roster spot in the spring after he finished with 13 strikeouts and a 3.24 ERA across 8 1/3 innings. The Blue Jays ultimately went with Canadian reliever Zach Pop.
Cimber, 32, has gotten off to a slow start this season with a 4.50 ERA and three home runs allowed in 11 appearances out of the bullpen. The righty only allowed six home runs in 70 2/3 innings pitched throughout all of last season.
The Blue Jays (13-9), who won two-of-three in New York against the Yankees, will hand the ball to starter Chris Bassitt at 7:07 p.m. on Sportsnet. He will face off against veteran Lance Lynn.
