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.
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
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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.
Pearson (2-1) tossed two scoreless innings of relief to earn the win in Saturday's 3-2 victory over the Blue Jays. He allowed one hit and two walks while striking out one.
Pearson beat his former team to earn his second win of the season, both of which have come since he got traded to the Cubs on July 27. The righty has also posted a strong 2.89 ERA and 0.86 WHIP across 9.1 innings for Chicago. By contrast, he had a 5.63 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in 40 innings for Toronto. It remains to be seen if Pearson can keep this level of play up, but so far he's been a solid addition for the Cubs.
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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Cubs' Nate Pearson: Traded to Cubs
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The Blue Jays traded Pearson to the Cubs on Saturday in exchange for Josh Rivera and Yohendrick Pinango, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.
Pearson, a first-round pick out of Central Florida CC in 2017, made his major-league debut with the Blue Jays in 2020. Across 41 outings this season, Pearson has a 5.63 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 51:17 K:BB across 40 innings, though he has given up six runs across his last three appearances, including four runs against the Diamondbacks on July 13. He'll join a Chicago bullpen that has seven relievers on the injured list, including five on the 60-day IL. The 27-year-old Pearson will be under team control through 2026, per Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune.
Pearson (illness) gave up an earned run on one hit and one walk over one inning out of the bullpen in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Rays.
Pearson made his first appearance of the second half Tuesday after he had been unavailable out of the bullpen for the Blue Jays' series with the Tigers this past weekend while he was battling an illness. Though the right-hander yielded a run in his return to action, he looked to be at close to full strength while pumping in 13 of his 20 pitches for strikes Tuesday.
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Blue Jays' Nate Pearson: Battling illness
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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
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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
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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
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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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