Chicago Cubs designate former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher for assignment
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The Chicago Cubs have designated former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Nate Pearson for assignment.
Pearson first joined the Cubs in a trade from the Blue Jays at the 2024 deadline, and he seemed to benefit from the change of scenery.
Don't think #Cubs formally announced it but they DFA'ed RHP Nate Pearson on Thursday, source confirms. (Move first noted on their transaction log.) He's the corresponding move for Eli Morgan returning from 60-day IL. Pearson was placed on waivers today. Waiver window ends Tuesday
After posting a 5.63 ERA in 40 innings for Toronto prior to the deal, Pearson stabilized things and posted a 2.73 ERA across 26 1/3 innings for the Cubs.
Even though the secondary metrics had a less-favorable view of Pearson's performance, it looked like he had earned himself a spot in Chicago's bullpen picture for 2025.
However, Pearson got off to a rocky start and found himself optioned back to Triple-A by the middle of April.
He has been recalled and optioned down a couple of more times since, with the end result of an ugly 9.20 ERA and more walks (10) than strikeouts (seven) over 14 2/3 innings in the Show.
Pearson's numbers in Iowa have been considerably better, yet even his 2.22 ERA and 30.6% strikeout rate over 44 2/3 Triple-A frames have come with the red flag of a 12.9% walk rate.
Walks have been a persistent issue throughout Pearson's career, and his seemingly improved control in 2024 may have proven to be a mirage based on his 2025 numbers.
Nate Pearson has been giving up a lot of hard contact and home runs have been an issue
He has also had a lot of trouble keeping the ball in the yard, as Pearson has allowed 28 home runs over his 156 2/3 career innings in the majors.
Formerly one of baseball's top pitching prospects during his time in the Jays' farm system, Pearson battled injuries while in the minors, and a move to relief pitching still hasn't allowed him to find a niche on a Major League roster.
There is a good chance that former Blue Jay Nate Pearson will become a free agent
Pearson has two years of arbitration eligibility remaining, so between that team control and his past prospect pedigree, there is a chance he might get claimed as a reclamation project.
Since the 29-year-old has more than three years of MLB service time, he has the right to elect free agency rather than accept an outright assignment to Triple-A, assuming he clears waivers.
It seems probable that the Cubs might just release Pearson if he clears waivers, since he is a clear non-tender candidate anyway, an early release would give Pearson an early jump on the offseason free agent market.
Source: MLBTR
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