Nathan Pearson: Everything you need to know

Pearson (elbow) permitted one run on one hit and four walks over two innings in his first rehab start with Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday. Pearson hit some bumps in the road in his recovery from an offseason cleanup surgery on his pitching elbow, but he's finally ready for game action. Given that he threw 53 pitches in his first rehab outing, it seems Pearson will be stretched out as a rotation option for the Astros. That means his rehab assignment will take longer, though the club could alter plans and activate him as a reliever if a need arises in the bullpen.

Pearson (elbow) faced live hitters for the second time in an extended spring training game Friday, MLB.com reports. Pearson has been on the shelf all season while he works his way back from an offseason cleanup procedure on his right elbow, but the fact that he's now faced on multiple occasions suggests that a rehab assignment could be on the horizon. Given that he didn't pitch in any games during the Grapefruit League, Pearson will likely require an extended minor-league assignment before being activated from the 15-day injured list and joining the Houston bullpen.

Pearson (elbow) has progressed to throwing a live batting practice session, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. Pearson developed soreness in his surgically repaired right elbow a month ago and has been brought along slowly since then. That he's now facing hitters suggests a rehab assignment could be right around the corner. Pearson signed with the Astros over the offseason with the intent to be a starting pitcher, but his best path to a role right now is as a reliever.