Blue Jays Acquire Rivera & Pinango

The Toronto Blue Jays have acquired SS Josh Rivera & OF Yohendrick Pinango from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for RHP Nate Pearson.

Additionally, RHP Ryan Burr has been recalled from Triple-A Buffalo and will be active for today’s game, and RHP Jordan Romano has been transferred to the 60-day injured list (right elbow inflammation).

Rivera, 23, has appeared in 68 games for the Cubs Double-A affiliate in Tennessee this season, batting .169 with four doubles, two triples, four home runs, and 16 RBI, posting a .971 fielding percentage in 596.2 innings at shortstop. The Sebring, FL, native was selected by the Cubs in the 3^rd round of the 2023 First-Year Player Draft, out of the University of Florida. The 6-2, 215 lb. right-handed hitter has played a total of 96 career Minor League games, across three levels, batting .199 with 22 extra-base hits and 32 RBI.

Pinango, 22, has split the 2024 campaign between High-A South Bend and Double-A Tennessee, combining to hit .263 with 18 doubles, three triples, nine home runs, 40 RBI, 45 walks, and a .797 OPS. The 5-11, 170 lb. left-handed hitter was signed by the Cubs as an international free agent in 2018. A native of Carora, Venezuela, the outfielder has played a total of 473 career Minor League contests, batting .272 with 100 doubles, 10 triples, 33 home runs, 220 RBI, and a .730 OPS.

Pearson, 27, has made 41 appearances for the Blue Jays this season, posting a 5.63 ERA with 51 strikeouts and a 1.55 WHIP. The 6-6, 255 lb. right-handed reliever was selected by the Blue Jays in the 1^st round (28^th overall) of the 2017 First-Year Player Draft, making his big league debut for the club in 2020. The Odessa, FL, native and former top prospect has made 93 career MLB appearances (5 starts), going 7-4 with a 5.21 ERA across 115.2 combined innings, recording a 10.12 strikeout per nine rate.