The Cubs designated Nate Pearson for assignment, according to the right-hander’s official MLB.com profile page. The move clears a 40-man roster spot for right-hander Eli Morgan, who was activated from the 60-day injured list and optioned to Triple-A Iowa.
Pearson first joined the Cubs in a trade from the Blue Jays at the 2024 deadline, and he seemed to benefit from the change of scenery. After posting a 5.63 ERA in 40 innings for Toronto prior to the deal, Pearson stabilized things and posted a 2.73 ERA across 26 1/3 innings for the Cubs. Even though the secondary metrics had a less-favorable view of Pearson’s performance, it looked like he had earned himself a spot in Chicago’s bullpen picture for 2025.
However, Pearson got off to a rocky start and found himself optioned back to Triple-A by the middle of April. He has been recalled and optioned down a couple of more times since, with the end result of an ugly 9.20 ERA and more walks (10) than strikeouts (seven) over 14 2/3 innings in the Show. Pearson’s numbers in Iowa have been considerably better, yet even his 2.22 ERA and 30.6% strikeout rate over 44 2/3 Triple-A frames have come with the red flag of a 12.9% walk rate.
Walks have been a persistent issue throughout Pearson’s career, and his seemingly improved control in 2024 may have proven to be a mirage based on his 2025 numbers. He has also had a lot of trouble keeping the ball in the yard, as Pearson has allowed 28 home runs over his 156 2/3 career innings in the majors. Formerly one of baseball’s top pitching prospects during his time in the Jays’ farm system, Pearson battled injuries while in the minors, and a move to relief pitching still hasn’t allowed him to find a niche on a Major League roster.
Pearson has two years of arbitration eligibility remaining, so between that team control and his past prospect pedigree, there is a chance he might get claimed as a reclamation project. Since the 29-year-old has more than three years of MLB service time, he has the right to elect free agency rather than accept an outright assignment to Triple-A, assuming he clears waivers. It seems probable that the Cubs might just release Pearson if he clears waivers — since he is a clear non-tender candidate anyway, an early release would give Pearson an early jump on the offseason free agent market.
Morgan posted a 12.27 ERA over 7 1/3 innings before his season was all but erased by an inflamed ulnar nerve in his throwing arm. The righty’s last MLB appearance was on April 14, and a setback during a minor league rehab assignment in June pushed his clock back even further.
Finally returning to the mound in August, Morgan has looked quite sharp in posting a 1.69 ERA over 10 2/3 innings with the Cubs’ high-A and Triple-A affiliates. With his 30-day rehab window over, he is now back on the 40-man roster and continuing his rehab work in Iowa, and it is unclear if he might get another look in the majors before 2025 is over. Given his long layoff, it seems unlikely that Morgan would factor into Chicago’s playoff roster plans unless other pitchers get hurt.
This literally happened yesterday. He got released today
That’s like if the Dr asks you what illness you would rather have? Cancer or MS? some of the symptoms are the same so you call it. by the way I think you all owe Alan 53 an apology because he correctly called the debacle that happened in Cincy this weekend. Why the Cubs were celebrating for just making the Playoffs was really dumb when they had a tough series coming up. They should have saved it for Monday when they were off and home. The only thing worse than this choice would be if you had to use either of these mopes. By the way if this is the offense that shows up in the Playoffs it’ll be short lived.
Bahahahahaha!! Somebody owes Alan an apology???? I think Alan owes this forum and himself an apology for the countless hours of keyboard warriorship wasting time telling us starting in May that “this” is the series that is going to knock the Cubs out of the playoffs. BAHAHAHAHA!!! Not even close…ever.
Heck, it took until sept 20 for the Cubs to be the LAST team to lose four in a row.
He’s disappeared the last week since the clinched.
He will be back once the Cubs get eliminated….because all but one do and we will get to read the drivel all winter.
Can’t wait.
It seems like yesterday he was the next big thing that was coming out of the Jays farm. Now, he’s considered a flyer/lottery ticket/project.
I really thought that he was going to be a stud for us for years. If not as a good starter but as a beast at the end of games. He’s probably second only to Travis Snider in terms of guys who didn’t pan out for us that still stings.
Pearson seems like I could benefit from a year or two overseas. Wouldn’t be the first time that a guy does that and figures something out with his game.
Travis Snider, Dustin Mcgowan, Aaron Sanchez (despite his one great year)
Look his arm is A+. But it goes to show you that no matter how hard you throw it, When you throw it straight with no movement and have no breaking pitch you can get over the plate you will get lit up in AAA and MLB. Probably Little League too.