Cubs release former Blue Jays top prospect Nate Pearson

Originally posted on Bluejaysnation
By Tyson Shushkewich | Last updated Sep 22, 2025 8:00 AM ET

A former top prospect in the Blue Jays organization is hitting the free agent market a bit early.

With a week left to go in the season, the Chicago Cubs designated right-hander Nate Pearson for assignment two days ago and have now released him as per the MLB transaction page. Pearson was DFA’d to make room for Eli Morgan on the 40-man roster, who was returning from the 60-day IL.

Pearson was a first-round pick of the Blue Jays back in 2017 and was deemed one of the go-to arms for the future organization before command issues and injuries derailed his early career. He made his big league debut in 2020 and struggled to carve out a role with Toronto, bouncing between Triple-A and the big leagues. Through 93 outings (five starts), the right-hander authored a 5.21 ERA and a 5.11 FIP to the tune of a 1.461 WHIP.

Cubs Designate Nate Pearson For Assignment https://t.co/Nx9zUZ0mDT pic.twitter.com/cWwaajzRui

— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) September 21, 2025

The Blue Jays traded Pearson at the 2024 trade deadline to the Cubs, with infielder Josh Rivera and outfielder Yohendrick Pinango going the opposite way. Pearson would finish the campaign in the big leagues with the Cubbies, posting a 2.73 ERA across 26 1/3 innings.

Pearson broke camp with the Cubs to start the 2025 campaign but got off to a slow start, allowing 10 earned runs and seven walks through 8 2/3 innings before being optioned back to the minors, where he spent most of the campaign. He made three more appearances with Chicago throughout the rest of the year, allowing five earned runs across six innings. The Florida product was in Iowa at the time of his DFA.

It’s unlikely that Pearson will latch on with a team before the end of the year, but he should be looked at this winter on a minor league deal as a bounce-back candidate.

The Cubs have clinched a postseason spot but won’t be able to catch the Milwaukee Brewers in the division standings. They currently hold the first Wild Card spot in the NL, three games ahead of the San Diego Padres.

This article first appeared on Bluejaysnation and was syndicated with permission.

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