Pearce will start in left field and bat fifth Thursday against the Blue Jays, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pearce has been the biggest beneficiary of J.D. Martinez (back/illness) sitting out the last four games, as he'll start for a third time during that stretch. He draws a favorable matchup Thursday against a southpaw (Clayton Richard), but Pearce hasn't quite looked like the lefty masher he's been in the past. In 35 plate appearances versus lefties this season, Pearce is slashing .156/.206/.188 (1 wRC+).