Jays To Call Up Pearson and Baker

We figured Nate Pearson would be coming up today when rosters expand by two players, but Bryan Baker is a surprise to me. But both Shi Davidi and Ken Rosenthal are reporting it.

Off the topic, but I hate that they are expanding rosters by just two players. Broadcasters whined about the rosters that could expand up to 40 players, but then broadcasters just want to go home, they want the games to be short. I always liked seeing prospects over that last month of baseball. It gave us reasons to watch the games if the team was out of the playoff race. If they wanted to limit rosters, 30 or 33 players would have been a nice compromise. But then MLB always wants to save a few cents.

Anyway, Nate had a good outing yesterday, striking out the side in his inning of work. I think they could have called him up earlier but such is life. He’s looked good since coming back from the hernia issue. I hope he gets some high-leverage work.

Baker came in the Blue Jays in the Seunghwan Oh trade back in July of 2018. He’s 26 but hasn’t been pitched in the majors before. He was having a very good time of it with the Bisons. He has a 1.32 ERA in 34 innings with 9 saves with 16 walks and 40 strikeouts. And the last couple of months have been even better, with 1 earned in 16 innings.

Apparently, he throws in the high 90s.

Baker would have to be added to the 40-man but they have Brad Hand’s spot. Or at least I think that’s right, Shi Davidi has this in his post:

On Tuesday, the Blue Jays designated reliever Brad Hand for assignment to open up a spot on the 40-man roster. Neither Pearson or Baker need to be added to the 40-man roster, meaning the spot left by Hand is available if the Blue Jays choose to activate someone off the 60-man IL, such as relief pitcher Julian Merryweather.

But I don’t see Baker’s name on our 40-man roster. And, by my count baker would have us up to a full 40.

Anyway, I’m curious to see both of them pitch this month. Unfortunately, the ‘can he pitch line’ might be changing to ‘can he hit’ the way the team is going lately.

I thought we might get Julian Merryweather back. I’d imagine he will be back at some point presuming he can stay healthy for a week or two.