The plan was to try it all again in 2021 but then he strained his groin, which eventually became a sports hernia that required surgery. He tossed just 36 combined innings between the minors and majors that year and it was more of the same in 2022 when he missed significant time after coming down with a bout of mononucleosis and later straining a lat muscle.
Luck hasn’t been on Pearson’s side for a long time now. So, before the Jays decide to start relying on him again, the former first-round pick will need to prove he can actually stay healthy. That means Pearson, for now, is coming back as a reliever, one that is expected to open the year at Triple-A Buffalo.
