Blue Jays: Nate Pearson poised for IL stint after setback

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 18: Nate Pearson #24 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches in the first inning during a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 18, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 18: Nate Pearson #24 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches in the first inning during a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 18, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Nate Pearson is poised for a stint on the injured reserve after reaggravating his groin injury.

The young hurler has begun throwing bullpen sessions and the prognosis tentatively appeared promising, however, that took a turn for the worst yesterday. The Blue Jays are re-evaluating the situation according to Ben Nicholson Smith of Sportsnet, but at this point it seems unlikely he breaks camp with the squad.

Pearson pitched just 18 innings last season after missing five weeks due to a flexor strain in his right elbow. The 24-year old has been plagued by injuries since being drafted in the first round of the 2017 amateur draft.

It was initially thought that Pearson could play a prominent role in the Blue Jays starting rotation this season but he will be behind the eight-ball following this latest setback.

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Pearson has accumulated just 123.1 innings over the course of three minor-league seasons since 2017. The big right-hander will undoubtedly be on an innings restriction as the season spans into September depending on how much time he misses as a result of the groin strain. The 24-year old could find himself pitching out of the bullpen at some point this season to lessen his workload.

Marcels Projections tabbed Pearson to sport a 5-4 record with a 4.68 earned run average while fanning 79 in 77 innings of work in 2021.  A somewhat uninspiring stat line for the promising hurler. Zips was a little better prognosticating the hurler to accumulate a 4.00 earned run average in 99 innings.

The rotation looks like it may consist of Hyun Jin Ryu, Steven Matz, Tanner Roark, Robbie Ray and Ross Stripling when Toronto travels to play the Yankees in the season opener on April 01st. Thomas Hatch may also force his way into the conversation should one of the starters falter early on.

Hopefully, the injury will not linger too far into the season and the right-hander can put it in the rear view mirror sooner than later.

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