The Cubs have released right-handed reliever Nate Pearson, according to the transactions log at MLB.com. The club had designated him for assignment on Saturday. He has made 11 appearances at the big-league level in 2025, most recently on August 8, before being optioned to Triple-A Iowa on August 12, where he has pitched since. He will now enter free agency with an eye toward a minor-league deal for 2026.
Pearson, 29, has not had much success in the majors this year, pitching to a 9.20 ERA in his 14 2/3 innings with the Cubs. In that small sample, he struck out just seven hitters while issuing 10 free passes and surrendering 22 hits. In his career, Pearson owns a 5.17 ERA over 156 2/3 innings with a more serviceable 23.1% strikeout rate and a 10.7% walk rate. The former first-round draft pick debuted in 2020 for the Blue Jays and made a total of 93 appearances for them from 2020-24, followed by 30 appearances with the Cubs.
The righty has fared much better in the minors this year. In 38 appearances with the Cubs’ Triple-A affiliate in Iowa, Pearson has pitched to a 2.22 ERA with 57 strikeouts in 44 2/3 innings. He still walked 24 batters, although the strikeouts may be appealing to clubs looking for relief depth in the offseason. Pearson has just over four years of service time and two years of arbitration control remaining. He might garner interest as a reclamation project, especially if his new club can harness the swing-and-miss potential while cutting back on the free passes.
Man alive! Former and recent Jays pitchers are not having a good week.
AA, do your thing.
Rays reclamation!
You beat me to it with that comment. Perfect team for him.
I was absolutely convinced at one point he was going to be an elite closer for Toronto. I never had faith he was going to figure it out as a starter but I thought his velocity and stuff would translate really well to the pen. Without injuries, maybe.
Goes to show prospects are prospects. Another cautionary tale for people who want to hoard them come deadline day.
Crazy talk. Why get Crochet (“only” looking like 2nd for ALCYA-what a bum) when a FO can feign disbelief at being asked for HOF bound Coby Mayo or Dalton Rushing.
What was DD thinking getting multiple years of Duran for his closer deficiency when those prospects would’ve won Philly multiple titles even after some of its current stars are gone or in decline?
I would say Mets should sign him, but then realized he would walk even more hitters as a Met with the way Mets pitching has been
Isn’t his rep “great fastball, wild, problems with control”? A lot of teams will take a chance on somebody like this. Right Chris Fetter?
@WestVillageTiger
It’s also kinda lacking in movement. Combine that with sketchy bendy pitches and batters are just sitting on it.
I would’ve like to see him develop a splitter. Same look out of the hand and would give batters a different look.
Jeremy Hefner and the Mets need to see what they can do for young Pearson.
As long as you throw hard or are left handed you can avoid working at Sears for a long time
@The Gambler
“Dick Lovelady, customer service in lingerie, Dick Lovelady”. I’d a week’s wages to hear that in Sears.