MLB notebook: Jays pitching prospect Pearson sparkles in Triple-A debut
ROCHESTER, N.Y.— Blue Jays pitching prospect Nate Pearson had no trouble in his Triple-A debut Tuesday.
The right-hander, pitching on his 23rd birthday, went a careerhigh seven scoreless innings for the Buffalo Bisons against the Rochester Red Wings, allowing just three hits and no walks with three strikeouts.
The Blue Jays’ first-round draft pick in 2017 threw 88 pitches — 55 for strikes — and did not allow a runner to reach second.
But Rochester scored four runs off reliever Ty Tice in the bottom of the eighth to beat the Bisons 4-1 and deny Pearson the win.
Pearson is ranked the No. 2 prospect in the Blue Jays organization after shortstop Bo Bichette, who made his majorleague debut last month.
Pearson’s Triple-A outing was the second straight stellar performance by a Bisons starter. Right-hander T.J. Zeuch threw a no-hitter Monday night against the Red Wings.
Pearson was promoted to Buffalo from Double-A New Hampshire, where he went 1-4 through 16 starts with a 2.59 earned-run average and 21 walks and 69 strikeouts over 62
innings.
BRAVES NEW WORLD: Billy Hamilton feels like Christmas came early.
After being let go by one of baseball’s worst teams, Hamilton joined the first-place Atlanta Braves on Tuesday to help with their push for the playoffs.
“It’s a great feeling,” Hamilton said in the clubhouse at SunTrust Park before the opener of a threegame series against the Miami Marlins. “I had chills going down my body when they called me the other morning and told me I had been claimed by the Braves.”
Hamilton was designated for assignment by the Kansas City Royals on Friday. He was hitting .211 with no homers and 12 RBIs.
The Braves claimed Hamilton off waivers to bolster their injuryplagued roster. For now, he will play a role off the bench, serving as a late-inning defensive replacement and pinch-runner. He had 18 stolen bases for the Royals.
Hamilton will take whatever playing time he can get.
“It’s like Christmas again,” he said with a smile. “It’s amazing to come here and be part of this winning organization.”
Hamilton spent six seasons in Cincinnati, where he was never much of a hitter but earned significant playing time with his speed and defensive prowess. He was a five-time finalist for the Gold Glove and had four straight seasons with more than 50 stolen bases.
“You’re talking about a guy with speed and a defender who can switch-hit,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “I think he’ll be a good addition, especially late in the game when you start moving guys around to try and defend.”
WAIT GOES ON: Corey Kluber’s potential return to the rotation in Cleveland has been delayed by at least two weeks.
Kluber was removed from his rehab assignment on Sunday after experiencing tightness in his abdomen during the first inning. He underwent imaging in Cleveland, which confirmed an internal oblique strain, according to a release from the team.
Kluber is being shut down from throwing , will begin a rehab program and will be re-evaluated in two weeks. He has been on the injured list since the beginning of May after taking a comebacker off his right arm, which resulted in a fractured ulna bone.