Toronto Blue Jays: When will Steve Pearce return?

After being sent to the DL on May 15 by the Toronto Blue Jays, Steve Pearce is taking longer than initially anticipated, to recover from his calf strain.

When the Toronto Blue Jays signed Steve Pearce to a two-year, $12.5 million deal last December, opinion was split. For everyone who said he would be a high energy, excellent utility player, there seemed to be just as many concerned about his durability issues and age.

In truth, both perspectives were valid. Unfortunately for the Blue Jays, the latter recently reared its ugly head.

During a 3-2 win over the Seattle Mariners on May 14, Pearce injured himself while sliding to avoid a tag after hitting a double. The following day, he was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a right calf strain.

At the time, the prognosis was the 34-year old wouldn’t face a lengthy absence. However, it now appears he won’t be back as soon as initially hoped.

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Earlier this week, Blue Jays’ manager John Gibbons admitted Pearce still wasn’t close to a return. In fact, he still hasn’t done much in the way of baseball activity, since suffering his injury.

As reported by Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com, Gibbons when on to say the 2003 45th round draft pick will be out for at least another couple of weeks. As such, the earliest Blue Jays’ fans should expect him to return, is around mid-June.

As for Pearce himself, this latest update represents another setback in what has been a frustrating campaign so far. His slash line of .205/.256/.373 represents his worst hitting production since the 2011 season.

In fairness to the Lakeland, Florida native — along with the team — he had been much better in May, with a batting average of .276, along with four home runs and nine RBI. (He had no homers and just one RBI during April.)

Of course, this only made the timing of Pearce’s injury even more frustrating. Ezequiel Carrera has picked up the slack, hitting well during his absence, although the teams as a whole is only 8-7 since May 14.

Overall, Pearce will be the first to admit he is one of the less high profile players who has been on the Blue Jays’ casualty list this season. Regardless, his ability to play several positions is an excellent asset to have, and the sooner he can return to action, the better for the team.

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Where do you see Pearce fitting in when he finally returns from the DL? Further, with the recent surge, how confident are you now in the Blue Jays’ chances of a third consecutive appearance in the postseason? Share your thoughts in the comments section.