Righthanded pitcher Nate Pearson was the only Toronto Blue Jay minor leaguer to be named to the MLB Futures Game, to be held on July 7 in Cleveland, the day before the MLB All-Star Game.

Pearson will be on the American League team as the Futures Game changes formats this year, going away from a “USA vs. The World” and into an American League/National League split.

Pearson owns a 1.89 ERA at two levels this year, with 47 2/3 innings under his belt after seeing limited action in 2018 due to an oblique injury and a broken elbow. He’s got a stellar 0.78 WHIP with 66 strikeouts and only eight walks and has been one of the toughest pitchers to hit. He’s got a 2.70 ERA in 26 2/3 innings in Double-A, striking out 31 and walking five.

 

 

In 2019, the Blue Jays have had Pearson following an unusual regimen, having him pitch five innings and two innings on alternate starts in order to keep him healthy while building up the innings on his arm. That hasn’t entirely worked as he went down a couple of weeks ago with a groin injury and has only just begun throwing a couple of days ago.

 

 

Ultimately, the big question is whether Pearson will appear in the Futures Game. If he’s able to get back to near 100% with his groin fast enough, it could be his first game back before returning to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. But if his groin doesn’t respond, look for Pearson to sit this one out.

 

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