Houston Astros Sign RHP Nate Pearson to One-Year $1.35M Deal

The Houston Astros have signed right-handed pitcher Nate Pearson to a one-year contract worth $1.35 million, with $150,000 in potential performance bonuses tied to innings pitched and starts. Pearson, 29, who was originally drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2017, has spent parts of five MLB seasons primarily as a reliever but is expected to transition back to a starting role with the Astros. Despite a challenging 2025 season with the Chicago Cubs, where he posted a 9.20 ERA in 11 appearances before being released, Pearson showed strong performance in Triple-A Iowa with a 2.22 ERA and a .175 opponents' batting average. His career MLB stats include a 5.17 ERA and 160 strikeouts over 156.2 innings in 123 appearances. The Astros' move comes as they look to bolster a bullpen that struggled with home runs allowed in 2025, hoping Pearson's pedigree and minor league success will translate to major league contributions. His development was delayed early on due to a broken ulna suffered in 2018, but Houston is betting on his potential as a starter to strengthen their pitching staff.