Blue Jays’ Nate Pearson diagnosed with flexor strain in pitching arm

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Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Nate Pearson (24). (John Bazemore/AP)

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Nate Pearson has been diagnosed with a flexor strain in his pitching arm, according to manager Charlie Montoyo.

Montoyo says Pearson’s goal is to play catch this weekend.

Pearson, 24, was placed on the injury list on Aug. 19 with what was described at the time as right elbow tightness after alerting the team to the issue following his last outing on Aug. 18 against the Baltimore Orioles. The hard-throwing right-hander pitched four innings in that game, allowing four hits, five runs and three walks with three strikeouts.

In four starts this season, Pearson has a 6.61 ERA and 14 strikeouts.

In other injury news, closer Ken Giles threw a bullpen session on Tuesday and could potentially enter the discussion to pitch games soon if everything progresses to plan. Giles has been on the injured list since July 27 with a right forearm strain.

Montoyo also told reporters that Bo Bichette, who has been out since Aug. 16 with a right knee injury, has been progressing well. The Blue Jays manager hopes Bichette can resume some baseball activities this coming weekend.

General manager Ross Atkins said in a Zoom availability last Thursday that he was “extremely optimistic” Bichette would return to the field again in 2020.

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