The Cubs designated Nate Pearson for project, in line with the right-hander’s official MLB.com profile web page. The transfer clears a 40-man roster spot for right-hander Eli Morgan, who was activated from the 60-day injured checklist and optioned to Triple-A Iowa.
Pearson first joined the Cubs in a commerce from the Blue Jays on the 2024 deadline, and he appeared to learn from the change of surroundings. After posting a 5.63 ERA in 40 innings for Toronto previous to the deal, Pearson stabilized issues and posted a 2.73 ERA throughout 26 1/3 innings for the Cubs. Despite the fact that the secondary metrics had a less-favorable view of Pearson’s efficiency, it regarded like he had earned himself a spot in Chicago’s bullpen image for 2025.
Nonetheless, Pearson received off to a rocky begin and located himself optioned again to Triple-A by the center of April. He has been recalled and optioned down a few extra occasions since, with the tip results of an unsightly 9.20 ERA and extra walks (10) than strikeouts (seven) over 14 2/3 innings within the Present. Pearson’s numbers in Iowa have been significantly higher, but even his 2.22 ERA and 30.6% strikeout price over 44 2/3 Triple-A frames have include the pink flag of a 12.9% stroll price.
Walks have been a persistent difficulty all through Pearson’s profession, and his seemingly improved management in 2024 might have confirmed to be a mirage primarily based on his 2025 numbers. He has additionally had a variety of hassle retaining the ball within the yard, as Pearson has allowed 28 residence runs over his 156 2/3 profession innings within the majors. Previously one in all baseball’s prime pitching prospects throughout his time within the Jays’ farm system, Pearson battled accidents whereas within the minors, and a transfer to aid pitching nonetheless hasn’t allowed him to discover a area of interest on a Main League roster.
Pearson has two years of arbitration eligibility remaining, so between that crew management and his previous prospect pedigree, there’s a likelihood he would possibly get claimed as a reclamation undertaking. Because the 29-year-old has greater than three years of MLB service time, he has the fitting to elect free company quite than settle for an outright project to Triple-A, assuming he clears waivers. It appears possible that the Cubs would possibly simply launch Pearson if he clears waivers — since he’s a transparent non-tender candidate anyway, an early launch would give Pearson an early bounce on the offseason free agent market.
Morgan posted a 12.27 ERA over 7 1/3 innings earlier than his season was all however erased by an infected ulnar nerve in his throwing arm. The righty’s final MLB look was on April 14, and a setback throughout a minor league rehab project in June pushed his clock again even additional.
Lastly returning to the mound in August, Morgan has regarded fairly sharp in posting a 1.69 ERA over 10 2/3 innings with the Cubs’ high-A and Triple-A associates. Along with his 30-day rehab window over, he’s now again on the 40-man roster and persevering with his rehab work in Iowa, and it’s unclear if he would possibly get one other look within the majors earlier than 2025 is over. Given his lengthy layoff, it appears unlikely that Morgan would issue into Chicago’s playoff roster plans until different pitchers get damage.
