TORONTO – Nate Pearson was not included in the Toronto Blue Jays’ list of 30 players for Friday’s first game at Tampa Bay, a move that will likely delay the right-hander’s free agent eligibility for a year, that is, until later of the 2026 season.
Pearson, who turns 24 on August 20, was 5-4 with a 2.30 ERA in 25 starts at three levels in the minor leagues last season that included three starts at Triple-A Buffalo. He struck out 119 in 101 2/3 innings.
If not placed on the active roster until July 29, it would be limited to 61 days of service in the Major Leagues in the 67-day season. That would leave him with a maximum of 169 days of credited major league service this year, three days less than the 172 days required for a full year of credited service. Service time is adjusted this year due to the shorter season caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
A player needs six years of service in the major leagues to be eligible for free agency.
Pearson allowed four runs and five hits in 3 2/3 innings in an exhibition that started at Boston’s Fenway Park on Tuesday, struck out five and walked two. All four runs for the Red Sox came in the first inning, when Mitch Moreland hit a three-run homer.
Pearson was selected 28th overall in the 2017 amateur draft. He missed most of the 2018 season after a line boost broke a bone in his pitching arm.
Toronto opens with a five-game trip to Tampa Bay and World Series champion Washington. The Blue Jays don’t know where they’ll play their first home game on July 29 against the Nationals after the Canadian federal government denied permission to play at the Rogers Center in Toronto. The Blue Jays hoped to play in Pittsburgh but were rejected by the Pennsylvania government.
Pearson was included in a three-man taxi squad on Thursday along with left-hander Ryan Borucki and receiver Caleb Joseph. Pearson and Joseph are not on the 40-man list.
Right-hander Chase Anderson was put on the 10-day injured list due to a right sided effort, a move retroactive to July 20.
Right-handers Wilmer Font and Elvis Luciano are also on the 10-day IL, along with infielder Brandon Drury and outfielder Jonathan Davis. Drury did not join the team in Toronto for summer training.
Toronto’s 30-man roster for opening day includes 15 pitchers and 15 position players. Pitchers to win places include right-handers AJ Cole, Thomas Hatch, and Jacob Waguespack, as well as left-handers Anthony Kay and Brian Moran. Infielder Santiago Espinal was removed from the Toronto alternative training site.
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