Pearson to Miss AAA Start with 'Shoulder Impingement'
Toronto Blue Jays top prospect Nate Pearson won't make his next scheduled AAA start.
The right handed pitcher felt a "mild right shoulder impingement" Thursday, the Blue Jays announced, and he will miss his next start.
Pearson was able to long toss "with good intensity" and will travel to Trenton, where the Blue Jays AAA affiliate is located in 2021. Pearson's throwing plan will be monitored and potentially modified as needed, per the team, and he will next through a bullpen session before joining the Bisons rotation.
Pearson was optioned to the minor leagues after a single start for the Blue Jays this year. The right hander gave up three runs in 2.1 innings and struggled with control against the Houston Astros.
Despite a 2.4 per nine walk rate in the minors in 2019, Pearson's major league walk rate sites at 8.0/9 through five starts (20.1 innings).
"He made some strides in his first AAA start but he’s still got some work to do,” Manager Charlie Montoyo said after Pearson was sent down.
Pearson will rejoin a AAA rotation currently fronted by another organizational top-10 prospect, Alek Manoah. Former big leaguers Jacob Waguespack and T.J. Zeuch also start games for the Bisons, who are off to a 6-3 start to the year. The Bisons have allowed only 24 runs through nine games, the fewest of any AAA affiliate in baseball.
Further Reading:
So A.J. Cole has a Knuckleball?
Mitch Bannon is a baseball reporter for Sports Illustrated covering the Toronto Blue Jays and their minor league affiliates.Twitter: @MitchBannon