The Toronto Blue Jays should be getting some much-needed pitching reinforcement on Sunday, as Nate Pearson is expected to make his season debut in the team’s series finale against the Houston Astros, according to manager Charlie Montoyo.
An adductor strain prevented Pearson from breaking camp with the Blue Jays but he’s now healthy and fresh off pitching 3.2 innings Tuesday, helping the triple-A Buffalo Bisons defeat the Worcester Red Sox 6-1 in the season opener. The 24-year-old threw 78 pitches – 53 for strikes – in his first game action since tossing two scoreless innings in Game 2 against the Tampa Bay Rays in the wild-card round last September.
Pearson appeared in five games for the Blue Jays last season, starting four, and pitched 18 innings with an ERA of 6.00.
Anthony Kay will move into a depleted Toronto bullpen, who just lost Rafael Dolis to a Grade 1 calf strain, which the team is monitoring day-to-day.
The Blue Jays continue their series against the Astros on Saturday night, with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET/4:10 p.m. PT on Sportsnet ONE.
[relatedlinks]