'At Peace': Pearson Ready to Rock in Return to Jays

TORONTO — Things are different for Blue Jays right-hander Nate Pearson.

First and foremost, the big fella is healthy. He's also more confident and, most importantly, at peace with his new role as a full-time reliever. 

"[I'm] more at peace accepting whatever outcome as long as I'm competing," Pearson told a scrum of reporters after his call-up Monday. 

Adam Cimber's been battling a shoulder issue this season, and when that ailment finally necessitated a trip to the IL, Pearson was the logical next man up. After dazzling in Triple-A, the 26-year-old has earned another shot, too. Pearson struck out 16 hitters in 8.1 innings, hit 100 mph on the gun, and even served as the Bisons' ninth-inning man for two games. 

With each appearance in Buffalo, a call to the bigs beckoned. There was no way this fireballing mountain of a man wouldn't pitch his way back to Toronto. And now with the possibility of being a starting pitcher wiped off his slate, Pearson is liberated.

"It just simplifies it," Pearson said of his transition to the 'pen. "I know I'm going to go out there for a short amount of time, just compete and get outs, and get the guys back into the dugout to hit."

Blue Jays manager John Schneider was most impressed that Pearson appears to have ironed out his command this year. The skipper said early reports indicated the righty tossed 60% strikes with all his pitches.

"When we talked in spring, it was [about] trying to get two out of the first three strikes," Schneider said. "So [looking forward to Pearson] just continuing that."

Schneider also lauded Pearson for maintaining his velocity throughout his first handful of minor-league outings this year. The Jays' 2017 first-round pick threw no more than 26 pitches during his eight Triple-A games, but Schneider said he envisions Pearson being available for more than one inning if needed.

As this series unfolds, we'll get an idea of how Toronto plans to use its newest bullpen weapon. So far, the Blue Jays' band of relievers has been average, ranking 20th in ERA (4.35) and 16th in win probability added (0.10). Since the Blue Jays lack a true multi-inning guy, Pearson has plenty of potential as a longman for the upcoming stretch. That could easily change, though, once someone like Mitch White returns.

In a best-case scenario, Pearson continues to dominate and earns his way into a late-inning leverage role. That's a lofty goal, though. For now, the Jays will ease Pearson in with clean innings, likely earlier in contests, but Schneider said he's not afraid to toss Pearson into a spot where a strikeout is needed.