We have acquired RHP Nate Pearson from the Houston Astros for minor league RHP Max Martin.
Former Blue Jay Nate Pearson traded from Houston Astros to Kansas City Royals
Photo credit: © Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Jul 22, 2026, 13:00 EDT
Nate Pearson is heading to the American League Central.
Wednesday, the former Toronto Blue Jays No. 1-ranked prospect was traded from the Houston Astros to the Kansas City Royals.
The Astros designated Pearson for assignment on Sunday after being signed to a contract and pitched in 16 games with the club. While the 29-year-old missed all of April as he recovered from right elbow surgery, the right-hander returned on May 19, and across his 16 games went 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP, and recorded one save.
Like his tenure with the Blue Jays, Pearson displayed a high-octane fastball with the Astros. He averaged 97.7 MPH with his heater and was able to strike out 16 over his 20 innings pitched, but control remained an issue, highlighted by a 14.3% walk rate with 12 free passes over that span.
Selected in the first round, 28th overall, during the 2017 MLB Draft, Pearson never quite lived up to the potential that was expected out of the 6-foot-6 righty. Pearson spent parts of four seasons with the Blue Jays after debuting in 2020, and across 93 games (five starts), he went 7-4 with a 5.21 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP.
Similar to this season, the Blue Jays found themselves struggling in 2024 and opted to move Pearson to the Chicago Cubs before the trade deadline in exchange for Yohendrick Piñango and Josh Rivera.
Over two seasons with the Cubs, Pearson pitched in 30 games (one start) and went 2-2 with a 5.05 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. The right-hander struck out 30 batters in his 41 innings, but ended up being designated for assignment and outright released last September after posting a 9.20 ERA across his 11 outings.
Through his MLB career, Pearson has pitched in 139 games and has gone 10-6 with a 4.99 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP. Pearson has totalled 176 strikeouts over his 176.2 career innings, but could be running out of opportunities to prove himself as the highly touted player many thought he’d become.
Sponsored by bet365
Breaking News
- Former Blue Jay Nate Pearson traded from Houston Astros to Kansas City Royals
- Braydon Fisher set to open as Blue Jays look to reverse fortunes Vs. Rays
- Blue Jays prospect Jaxson West promoted to High-A Vancouver
- Looking at 3 potential trade destinations for Blue Jays’ Daulton Varsho
- Instant Reaction: Blue Jays drop to nine games under .500 with blowout loss to Rays