Pearce will play left field and bat leadoff in Thursday's game against the Rays, TV broadcaster Hazel Mae reports.

EDGE Analysis

With normal leadoff man Devon Travis taking a seat, Pearce will move to the top of the order against southpaw Blake Snell. He'll likely slide down in the order when Travis is back in the lineup, but he could prove to be the Blue Jays' top leadoff option when Travis sits.

Pearce (elbow) will play left field for the first time this spring in Saturday's Grapefruit League matchup against the Rays, Toronto play-by-play announcer Mike Wilner reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pearce, who underwent surgery in September, began spring camp on a strict throwing program. The team had hoped their new acquisition would be able to regularly man left field this season, but the timeline for when that would happen has been a bit hazy until now. Things have started to clear up in recent days as general manager Ross Atkins said there's a "possibility" Pearce will be able to play left on Opening Day. Pearce played just 19 games in the outfield last season -- his fewest since 2011 -- so he missed the eligibility cutoff in many leagues by one game. Assuming his arm is ready for the workload, the veteran's fantasy value will get a nice boost by mid-May when his position flexibility increases.

Pearce (elbow) is batting third and playing first base during Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Sunday's contest marks the first time that Pearce has played in the field following his offseason elbow surgery. He's expected to see more time in the outfield during the regular season, but manager John Gibbons wants to ease the veteran in at the less physically demanding position of first base for the time being.

Pearce (elbow) is set to play first base Sunday and might be available to play the outfield on Opening Day, according to manager John Gibbons, John Lott of The Athletic Toronto reports.

EDGE Analysis

Assuming his rehab goes smoothly, the veteran should do enough to piece together at-bats at several positions this season. Many AL-only players could consider him as a complementary piece for deep starting lineups, especially in formats where he'd add second base qualification to outfield and first base.

Pearce (elbow) will make his first spring start in the field on March 19 and play first base, Mike Wilner reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pearce's recovery from offseason surgery has gone smoothly and he's closing in on the next big step -- playing defense. Manager John Gibbons plans to ease the 10-year veteran back into action by sticking him at first base, although the team is hoping Pearce will spend most of 2017 in the outfield. The 33-year-old journeyman is capable of filling a handful of defensive positions, but Gibbons said he has no plans to plug Pearce in at second base while Devon Travis (knee) slowly recovers from his own offseason procedure.

Pearce (elbow) went 1-for-2 with two RBI in Sunday's Grapefruit League contest against the Rays.

EDGE Analysis

Playing in his second exhibition game, Pearce notched his first hit and RBI of the spring season. Pearce is expected to remain at DH for the next two weeks before gradually working his way back into the field. In the meantime, the 33-year-old -- who signed a two-year, $12.5 million contract with Toronto after splitting last season with the Rays and Orioles -- continues progressing through a throwing program.

Pearce will play regularly as a designated hitter for two weeks before returning to playing the field, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pearce has been recovering from elbow surgery that he underwent back in September to repair the flexor mass tendon in his elbow. Although he is now ready to resume hitting in games, it looks like the Blue Jays do not want to rush him back into playing the field just yet. However, assuming there are no setbacks, Pearce should be fully good to go for Opening Day.

Pearce, who was previously presumed to be in line for a platoon role at first base, is the Jays' preferred every-day left fielder, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pearce is slated to be ready for Opening Day after having elbow surgery in September, but whether he'll have the arm strength to play the outfield still remains uncertain. On Saturday, general manager Ross Atkins said Justin Smoak playing every day at first base with Pearce in left is the club's "best-case scenario," the first time in which Atkins has explicitly said such. The optimal situation would work out for Pearce from a fantasy standpoint, as he'd likely be in line for more at-bats without having to platoon with Smoak at first base.

Pearce (elbow) is progressing in his throwing program and should be available to play outfield Opening Day, if needed, John Lott of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pearce is doing well in his rehab following September elbow surgery, and he should be ready to play the outfield on Opening Day if necessary. The elbow apparently doesn't inhibit his swing, and he is expected to take batting practice with the team on Sunday. Although the Blue Jays seem optimistic now, the real challenge will be building his arm strength, which isn't supposed to be back to full strength until April. When he's back, he'll provide a nice boost at the plate against southpaws.

Pearce, who had elbow surgery in September, is not expected to be throwing at full strength until April, the Toronto Star reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pearce signed a two-year, $12.5 million deal with the Jays in December. His status for Opening Day is still in question, but once healthy, he should make an immediate impact for his new team. Though Pearce has experience at second base, third base and right field, General Manager Ross Atkins expects most of his playing time will be at first base and left field. Pearce brings a proven ability to hit left-handed pitching to Toronto (something the team was looking for this offseason), as evidenced by an .852 OPS against southpaws in his career and an OPS of 1.028 against them in 2016. The 33-year-old will be entering his 10th season in 2017, and holds a career slash line of .254/.333/.441 in more than 1600 at-bats.