The Astros placed Pearson (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Pearson had to be shut down in early March after feeling soreness in his surgically repaired right elbow. It's not clear whether he's resumed throwing, and even if he has he's surely looking at longer than a minimum stay on the IL.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that the team will "slow down" Pearson's throwing program after the pitcher felt soreness in his surgically repaired right elbow during his last bullpen session, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pearson had arthroscopic surgery in his pitching elbow over the offseason and had been ramping up slowly in Astros camp. It was already likely that Pearson would begin the season on the injured list, and now it should be a given. Houston signed Pearson with the thought that he'd be stretched back out as a starting pitcher, but his health and role are now in question.

Pearson (elbow) is still in a velocity ramp-up progression and might not be ready for Opening Day, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Astros aren't sure whether Pearson will be able to appear in Grapefruit League games, pointing to a likely stint on the injured list to begin the season. Pearson will be stretched out as a starting pitcher, but he does not have minor-league options remaining, so his role once he's healthy could be dependent on the Astros' needs at the time.

Pearson underwent a cleanup procedure on his right elbow during the offseason but will throw a bullpen session Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander joined the Astros on a one-year, $1.35 million contract during the offseason, and it appears he's opening camp in good shape despite the procedure. Pearson surrendered 15 earned runs over 11 relief outings for the Cubs last season but was dominant at the Triple-A level with a 2.22 ERA across 44.2 innings. He's primarily worked as a reliever since 2021, but Houston is expected to give him a chance to stretch out as a starter during spring training.

The Astros signed Pearson to a one-year, $1.35 million contract Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pearson allowed 15 runs with a 7:10 K:BB over 14.2 innings during his time with the Cubs in 2025. He had better luck at Triple-A Iowa, collecting a 2.22 ERA and 57:24 K:BB across 44.2 frames. Pearson has worked almost exclusively as a reliever since 2021, but the Astros are expected to give the former top prospect a chance to be a starting pitcher. The 29-year-old does not have minor-league options remaining, so he'll likely be part of Houston's bullpen if he doesn't crack the Opening Day rotation.

The Cubs released Pearson on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

No teams were willing to put in a waiver claim for the right-hander after Chicago designated him for assignment Saturday, and the Cubs will now allow Pearson to get a head start on finding a new destination heading into 2026. Prior to losing his roster spot, Pearson made 11 appearances out of the Chicago bullpen and posted a 9.20 ERA and 2.18 WHIP while issuing 10 walks over 14.2 innings.

Pearson was designated for assignment Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Pearson was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Aug. 11 and has made 11 appearances with the big-league club this season. This transaction was a corresponding move for Eli Morgan being activated from the 60-day injured list.

Pearson was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Pearson was promoted from Triple-A on Tuesday and delivered four scoreless innings over two appearances, but it won't be enough to keep his spot on the big-league roster heading into a three-game series against Toronto. The Cubs have yet to announce a corresponding move.

The Cubs recalled Pearson from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Mike McGraw of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander has made just one appearance with the Cubs since late April, but he's back in the big leagues Tuesday with Michael Soroka (shoulder) heading to the injured list. Pearson has struggled in his nine big-league outings this year with a 12.66 ERA, 2.53 WHIP and 6:9 K:BB over 10.2 innings.

The Cubs optioned Pearson to Triple-A Iowa on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Pearson's stay with the Cubs lasted just two days, with the right-hander getting sent back to Iowa after he was roughed up for five earned runs on five hits and two walks over two innings while mopping up in Sunday's 14-6 loss to the Mariners. Chicago called up right-hander Michael Fulmer from Iowa to take Pearson's spot in the bullpen.