Steve

Pearce

We knew he was leaning in this direction, as Pearce previously said back in December that he was “unofficially retired,” but now he’s ruled out a potential return. The 37-year-old (his birthday was on Monday) said he put in 10 years -- giving him a fully-vested pension -- and has had a “good run,” including being named the 2018 World Series MVP. Pearce came up in the Pirates’ organization, but didn’t really hit it big until 2014 with the Orioles. He’ll walk away with a .254/.332/.440 batting line and 91 homers over 766 games with the Pirates, Orioles, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Rays, Yankees, and Astros.

Pearce completed his 10th year of MLB service in 2019, which earned him a fully-vested pension. Coming off a rough season where back and knee injuries limited him to just 29 games for the Red Sox, he’d probably have to settle for a minor league deal to keep his career going. He’ll be 37 in April and just might not want to put himself through that process. Pearce didn’t really hit it big in the majors until his age-31 season with the Orioles in 2014, eventually winning the World Series MVP for the Red Sox in 2018.

Pearce has been out since early June with a back injury and more recently a knee ailment. It’s not looking like a good bet that he’ll return this season.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Chris Owings. Pearce is eligible to return at any time, but it remains up in the air as to whether he’ll be able to do so.

Pearce landed on the injured list June 1 with a back issue and then tweaked his knee when he fell awkwardly during a recent rehab game in the minors. He can be ruled out through all of July and probably part of August too. The exact nature of this new knee injury has not been revealed.

Cotillo does not offer a timeline as to when Pearce’s knee began to bother him, but the veteran has sat out the past three games of his rehab assignment due to the new issue. He was initially placed on the injured list on June 1 as a result of a lower back strain. Just when he might be healthy enough to rejoin the major league team remains an unknown.

Pearce has made a quick recovery from a back injury that landed him on the injured list earlier this month. Beat reporter Chris Cotillo of MassLive suspects Pearce will return either during the team’s upcoming six-game road trip or, at latest, when the Red Sox return home next Friday. When healthy, the reigning World Series MVP will platoon with Mitch Moreland at first base.

Pearce worked out Monday for the first time since landing on the injured list June 1 with a lower back strain and reported feeling good when he returned to Fenway Park on Tuesday afternoon. It sounds like he could be activated off the injured list within the next week or so.

Pearce has been out all month with back spasms but is feeling better. It’s unclear whether he’ll need a rehab assignment before returning.

The journeyman slugger has struggled badly at the plate this season, slashing a horrific .180/.245/.258 with one homer and nine RBI in 99 plate appearances.