https://jaysjournal.com/2022/09/05/blue-jays-nate-pearson-returns-mound-first-time-since-june-19th/
Blue Jays pitcher Nate Pearson made his first rehab appearance after suffering a lat injury earlier this year, pitching a clean inning in Single-A.
Fans and Jays media alike have been following his recovery process, from throwing long toss and bullpens to finally getting into some game action yesterday, pitching in Single-A Dunedin against the Tampa Tarpons (New York Yankees affiliate).
The former first-round pick pitched a clean inning, hitting 99 MPH with his fastball and getting the first two batters to fly out and inducing a groundball to the third batter, appearing in just one inning. He threw just ten pitches in total and was able to generate three swinging strikes, mixing in his sinker and fastball while also tossing one cutter and one curveball in the lone inning of work.
Nate Pearson (lat) threw a clean inning for the Dunedin Blue Jays yesterday on a rehab assignment — his first game action since mid-June.
Person threw 10 pitches (6 strikes); sat 97-mph with his fastball, touched 99.
— Arden Zwelling (@ArdenZwelling) September 5, 2022
This is a great first step in Pearson’s recovery and hopefully, more outings will follow shortly. It is unknown right now what the plan is for the former top prospect and whether the Blue Jays will consider him down the stretch at some point in September, especially if he can find a way to hit the 100 mph mark with his fastball like we have seen him do before.
That type of velocity would bode well in the bullpen with playoff baseball on the horizon and a tough schedule ahead but rushing him is likely not in the plans, and he will have to work his way back to the active roster (with the Jays needing to clear a roster spot since he is on the 60-day IL).