Pearson aggravates nagging groin injury
Starting pitcher unlikely to be part of Blue Jays’ opening-day roster
Nate Pearson’s spot on the Blue Jays’ opening-day roster was already in jeopardy after he suffered a groin strain more than two weeks ago. His return could be further delayed after he aggravated the injury in a bullpen session Tuesday.
The 24-year-old right-hander initially hurt himself in his spring training debut, his lone appearance to date, March 1. He seemed to be on the mend over the weekend, throwing his first bullpen session Saturday. But things went awry Tuesday.
“We do feel it’s very mild in nature, but want to reassess that, just take it a day at a time,” Jays general manager Ross Atkins said over a video call from Dunedin, Fla.
Atkins expected to have more information on how the injury would affect Pearson’s chance at a roster spot Wednesday.
Ross Stripling is the most likely candidate to replace Pearson in the Jays rotation to start the season, joining ace Hyun-Jin Ryu, Robbie Ray, Steven Matz and Tanner Roark. Other younger, less experienced options include Thomas Hatch, Anthony Kay, T.J. Zeuch and Trent Thornton.
“We want to make sure we put everyone in a position to have options,” Atkins said. “Obviously, Strip, with what he has done in his career, has a leg up on that spot and it’s not where he’s necessarily in the five spot.
“There’s several guys that are in a similar situation, as it relates to our rotation, with experience. And then there’s several guys in a similar situation, as it relates to our rotation, with less experience. We want to put all eight of them in a good position to provide that opportunity of development, continue to get better and make sure that we have the best chance of getting outs.” á Celebrating in style: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. celebrated his 22nd birthday by going 4-for-4 with three RBIs in Toronto’s 14-5 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday. Guerrero was one of seven players with two hits or more; eight Jays had at least one RBI.
Manager Charlie Montoyo liked seeing Guerrero spraying the ball all over the field, with an infield single to short, a double to right field and a double and triple to centre. It’s easy to forget how young Guerrero is, Montoyo said.
“It’s not anybody’s fault, he was so good in the minor leagues that everybody expects so much from the kid,” Montoyo said. “But he’s just a kid. Now I think this year he’s ready to have the year that everybody’s waiting for. I truly believe that.” á Not a Merry month: Righthander Julian Merryweather has yet to make his big-league debut as he continues to deal with back tightness, but Atkins hopes to see the 29-year-old on the mound soon, barring any setbacks.
Regardless, the general manager has settled on Merryweather’s role for 2021, with the Jays planning to use him in the same way the club did last year: either as an opener or out of the bullpen for one or two innings.