Houston has signed right-hander Nate Pearson According to Chandler Rome of The Athletic, the two sides signed a one-year contract worth $1.35MM. Pearson is expected to be the Astros’ starter.
For Pearson, it’s a major league deal that will give him his first chance out of the rotation since his brief stint in MLB in 2020. The standout right-hander made four starts as a rookie with Toronto. Over the past five seasons, he has made all but two of his 118 plate appearances out of the bullpen. Pearson spent his final season and a half with the Cubs. He came to Chicago from Toronto in a mid-season trade in 2024.
Pearson made 11 appearances for the Cubs last season. He broke down the team’s lineup but quickly found himself back in Class Triple-A after allowing 10 earned runs in the first 8 2/3 innings. Pearson returned to action one weekend in June but allowed just five earned runs in his only appearance. His final stretch with the major league club consisted of two solid games in August, when he pitched four scoreless innings. Overall, Pearson posted a 9.20 ERA in 14 2/3 MLB innings, with an unsustainable 7:10 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Chicago fired Pearson in the final week of the regular season.
A deal with the major leagues may seem surprising given Pearson’s recent performance at the highest level, but he had much better results at Triple-A Iowa. Pearson posted a stellar 2.22 ERA and 30.6 K% in 38 minor league games. The free throw continues to be an issue (12.9% walk rate), but Triple-A hitters hit just .170 against Pearson.
Houston is likely betting on pedigree. Pearson was a first-round draft pick by Toronto in 2017. His development was delayed by a broken arm and oblique injuries in 2018, but he had a great breakout season in the minor leagues in 2019. Pearson pitched 101 2/3 innings across three levels with a 2.30 ERA and a strikeout rate of 30.7 percent in 25 starts. He entered the 2020 campaign ranked as a top-10 overall prospect, according to MLB Pipeline and Baseball America.
Pearson made five appearances for the Blue Jays in the shortened 2020 season, which was cut short by an elbow injury. Injuries will continue to hold him back. Due to a series of health issues, Pearson was limited to 45 2/3 innings in 2021 and 30 2/3 innings in 2022. He stayed healthy in 2023 and 2024 and was a reliever with the Blue Jays before being traded to Chicago.
There is some uncertainty about Houston’s rotation heading into 2026. Framber Valdez Is a free agent. The club lost Ronel Blanco, Luis Garciaand Brandon Walter Tommy John surgery. Spencer AlehtiThe season ended prematurely due to elbow problems. Christian Javier and Lance McCullers Jr.. Finished the season healthy but facing his own injury issues. Jason Alexander Went from depth option to rotation mainstay after being listed off waivers. Hunter Brown is the only rock solid member of the current staff. Pearson has plenty of doubts of his own, but the stakes are low. If the start doesn’t pan out, he could return to the bullpen.
