Jays’ Nate Pearson to miss minor-league start, Ryan Borucki goes on IL

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This article was published 14/05/2021 (1644 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The hits keep coming to the Blue Jays’ pitching staff, with rookie Nate Pearson and key reliever Ryan Borucki the latest to go down with injuries.

Pearson, returned to Triple-A Buffalo earlier this week, was diagnosed with a right shoulder impingement and will miss at least one start. The Jays described the issue as “minor” and said he was able to throw long toss before travelling to Trenton, N.J., the temporary home of the Bisons.

Even if this turns out to be a short-term injury, it’s yet another setback for the hard-throwing righty who has experienced more than his fair share. Pearson missed almost the entire 2018 season with a fractured forearm after getting hit by a comebacker, he was limited to five appearances in 2020 because of an issue with his right elbow, and injuries have cropped up again this year.

The start of Pearson’s season was delayed by more than a month because of a strained groin. He made one appearance for Buffalo earlier this month before getting promoted to the Jays for a start against the Houston Astros on Sunday. That outing did not go well, with Pearson battling command issues while allowing three runs on four hits and an alarming five walks.

Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said the team was first made aware of Pearson’s injury four days later. Even though the 24-year-old was optioned to the Bisons on Monday, he stuck around the big-league team to get some work in with pitching coach Pete Walker before he was scheduled to report to the minors. The club didn’t provide specifics on how, or when, the injury occurred but a spokesperson said another bullpen will be required before his next outing.

Borucki had not pitched since May 7 because of what the Jays previously described as fatigue. Montoyo said Thursday that Borucki wasn’t “hurt” and that he just needed some additional rest. The following day, the diagnosis was changed to a left forearm flexor strain. Borucki is now on the 10-day injured list, with the corresponding roster move not expected to happen until Saturday.

“He’s still feeling not great,” Montoyo said shortly before the roster move became official. “It feels like some tightness in his left elbow. So, there’s a good chance that he might go on the IL tonight. He has to see the doctors, so we’ll see, but he’s not feeling great.”

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Borucki’s injury is yet another blow to a Jays bullpen that has been undermanned — yet still somehow effective — all season. Closer Kirby Yates was lost for the season in spring training. Since then, Julian Merryweather, Jordan Romano, Rafael Dolis, Tyler Chatwood and David Phelps have all spent time on the IL. Despite the injuries, their bullpen ranks third in the majors with a 2.87 ERA.

Gregor Chisholm is a Toronto-based baseball columnist for the Star. Follow him on Twitter: @GregorChisholm or reach him via email: gchisholm@thestar.ca