Bieber rolls in rehab start in another positive step toward joining Blue Jays

TORONTO -- Shane Bieber took another step toward making his Blue Jays debut on Sunday afternoon, making his first rehab start since being acquired from the Guardians at the Trade Deadline.

The 2020 American League Cy Young Award winner struck out six over five innings of two-run ball in Triple-A Buffalo's 4-3 loss to Syracuse at Sahlen Field. Bieber retired seven of the final eight hitters he faced while throwing 47 of his 62 pitches for strikes.

“He looked really good,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said after the club's 7-4 loss to the Royals at Rogers Centre. “Hearing his comments after the game is that much more encouraging. So, we're taking it a start at a time, but from the stuff, the number of pitches, the velo -- it's really, really encouraging.”

The plan now is to keep Bieber on regular rest and to see how the right-hander feels over the next couple of days.

In a long journey back from Tommy John surgery, the 30-year-old Bieber began his latest rehab assignment on July 15 for the Guardians' Rookie-level affiliate. He has a 2.57 ERA over 14 innings in his last four starts across four levels between the Guardians and Blue Jays.

“I’m most pleased with not thinking about my health,” Bieber said in his introductory press conference after the trade to Toronto. “I think that says a lot about how far I’ve come post-surgery, where my body is at and where my mind is at. I’m focused on ramping up to compete in the big leagues. That’s a fun place to be. That’s what I’ve missed, and that’s what I’ve strived for. I’m close now, but it’s easier said than done.”

Bieber last pitched in a big league game on April 2, 2024, when he tossed six scoreless innings for Cleveland. Despite starting the '24 campaign with 12 scoreless frames over two starts, the right-hander underwent season-ending surgery to reconstruct his ulnar collateral ligament.