Nate Pearson is finally returning to game action this Sunday.
The 26-year-old threw a successful batting practice session in Florida on Wednesday and is now headed out on a rehab assignment, according to TSN’s Scott Mitchell. Toronto’s talented right-hander is scheduled to make his debut with low-A Dunedin on Sunday.
Barring any setbacks, Pearson could rise through the Blue Jays’ system fairly quickly, making his next stop at triple-A Buffalo.
Pearson has been sidelined almost all season due to mononucleosis and a lat strain, limiting him to just 7.2 innings. He hasn’t appeared in a game since June 19, when he departed due to injury after throwing just two pitches.
Unfortunately, the first-round selection from 2017 has been plagued by numerous injuries throughout his young career. As a result, the former top prospect hasn’t completed more than 101.2 innings in a single season and will finish well shy of that mark in 2022.
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Last season, Pearson made 12 appearances (one start) with the Blue Jays, performing to a miserable 5.40 ERA and 4.10 FIP over 15.0 innings. He didn’t fare well during the previous season, either, posting a 6.00 ERA and 7.19 FIP through 18.0 innings in five outings (four starts).
If everything runs smoothly, Pearson could make a late-season return to the majors, at which point, the Blue Jays would need to create space for him on their 40-man roster.
On a related minor-league note, left-hander Ricky Tiedemann has been shut down for the remainder of the 2022 season after reaching his innings limit. The 20-year-old finishes his first professional campaign with a 2.17 ERA and 117 strikeouts across 78.2 innings.

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