Steve Pearce's return from oblique injury can help Jays' lefty woes

Mark Suleymanov

Steve Pearce's return from oblique injury can help Jays' lefty woes image

As Blue Jays' outfielders continue to struggle mightily against left-handed pitching this season, help is on the way.

Steve Pearce has been swinging a hot bat on his rehab assignment with the Buffalo Bisons, and he was activated Friday ahead of the remainder of the Jays' four-game series against the Angels, which started Thursday with an 8-5 loss in Anaheim.

Counting Thursday's starter John Lamb, Toronto is scheduled to face three left-handers in the series, including Tyler Skaggs and Andrew Heaney. A healthy Pearce could see a lot of action against those pitchers this weekend.

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In four rehab games, Pearce was 4-for-11, including a three-run home run against Pawtucket on Monday -- his first start in left field after serving as the designated hitter the first two games. 

Pearce's homer Monday afternoon came against left-hander Jalen Beeks, which could help address the issue soon at the major league level. Toronto outfielders have mostly struggled against southpaws this season with Teoscar Hernandez wielding the only solid slash line against lefties (.273/.325/.597). 

Pearce, who has been on the disabled list with a strained oblique since May 4, handled lefties well in limited time this season. In 44 plate appearances against southpaws, Pearce slashed .293/.341/.537 with two home runs and eight runs batted in. Last year, Pearce hit lefties to a disappointing tune of .207/.293/.437 but otherwise sports a strong .263/.345 /.494 career line against southpaws.

The trio of Curtis Granderson, Kevin Pillar, and Randal Grichuk has not had success against lefties this season, lending importance to Pearce's imminent return. 

 

Blue Jays vs. LHP vs. RHP
Curtis Granderson .118/.250/.176 .249/.362/.432
Randal Grichuk .146/.217/.195 .230/.318/.568
Kevin Pillar .171/.205/.341 .289/.325/.463

 

 

 

The extended absence of former American League Most Valuable Player Josh Donaldson has also hurt the Blue Jays' punch against lefties. As a team, the Blue Jays have performed better against right-handed pitching, slashing a meager .223/.295/.401 against lefties as opposed to .240/.316/.423 against righties. 

 

Mark Suleymanov