Bieber excited to join Jays, return to mound after surgery
The Blue Jays' Bieber once wore a jersey with 'Not Justin' on the back during a players' weekend in 2019, which prompted Canada's Bieber to don a 'Not Shane Bieber' shirt a few weeks later.
'Well, it turns out I'm probably the second most famous Bieber in most cities,' said the 30-year-old righty who arrived in Toronto on Friday to meet manager John Schneider, his new teammates, coaches and support staff.
The Blue Jays acquired Bieber from the Cleveland Guardians before Thursday's trade deadline in exchange for right-handed pitching prospect Khal Stephen.
Bieber made the 4 1/2-hour drive from Cleveland, where he was put through the ringer by customs officials at the border.
'They shook me down,' Bieber said with a smile. 'It was nothing too crazy. Once I got there, we got out of the car and explained the situation. I got my papers and made my way.'
When will Bieber, who underwent Tommy John surgery on April 12, 2024, make his way to the mound for the Toronto Blue Jays?
Last Tuesday, he made his fourth rehab start, this time for double-A Akron with a four-inning, 59-pitch outing, giving up three hits, including a homer.
He is slated to pitch Sunday for triple-A Buffalo and hopes to go five innings and 70 to 75 pitches. After his next outing, he and the Blue Jays will determine what's next.
'The medical staff in Cleveland adopted (a one-game-at-a-time) mentality, and I think these guys have as well, and I know that they're gonna take great care of me,' Bieber said. 'Like I said, I feel great.'
Bieber threw a light bullpen session for Toronto pitching coach Pete Walker before Friday's series opener against the Kansas City Royals.
'I'm most pleased with not thinking about my health, and that says a lot about how far I've come post-surgery, where my body's at, where my arm's at,' Bieber said. 'I'm focused on ramping up to compete in the big leagues, and that's a fun place to be. That's what I've missed.'
Bieber did his homework as to what to expect after Tommy John surgery. He's bent the ear of former teammates Matt Boyd and Alex Cobb, who both made strong recoveries from Tommy John surgery.
He'll bring some post-season experience to the American League East-leading Blue Jays. The 2020 Cy Young Award winner has pitched in the playoffs twice, in his Cy Young season and again in 2022.
'My initial reaction was I was excited,' he said of being traded to the Blue Jays. 'I wasn't totally anticipating it, but I wasn't shocked.'
How the Blue Jays fit Bieber into the starting rotation when he's ready remains to be seen. The newcomer, however, is open to a six-pitcher rotation if Schneider and Walker decide to ease Bieber back and give the veteran staff some rest.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 1, 2025.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNN
an hour ago
- CNN
Tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou opens up on recent split with Naomi Osaka
Just over a week ago, before the start of the Canadian Open, it was announced Naomi Osaka split with tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou, ending their 10-month partnership. Now, the four-time grand slam champion is making a run on the hard courts in the weeks leading up to the US Open. Someone rooting for her success: Mouratoglou. 'She's doing well for the moment in Montreal. Let's hope she's going to go all the way,' Mouratoglou said in an interview with CNN Sports on Tuesday. 'I think her level of tennis is here. 'Physically, she is ready, and she's a great competitor, she's a great at some point, it's going to work out. I have no doubt about it.' Osaka, currently ranked No. 49, is having her best run of the season, and it's coming on Canadian soil – and on the type of surface where she's had her best results of her career. In Montreal, she'll take on Elina Svitolina on Tuesday night for a spot in the semifinals. 'I'm just trying to rack up hard court wins,' Osaka said Sunday, after advancing to the quarterfinals. 'I think I'm pretty confident with my base right now.' Osaka is seeking her first WTA Tour title since she hoisted the Australian Open trophy in 2021. Results of the partnership with Osaka and Mouratoglou were mixed, which included injuries and uneven results. Osaka won her first title since becoming a mother in May, in a lower-tier WTA 125 event in France. In January, she reached her first WTA Tour final since returning from maternity leave, but she was forced to retire mid-match because of an abdominal injury. Her best results at grand slams so far this year are reaching the round of 32 at the Australian Open and Wimbledon. Mouratoglou, known for his great success coaching Serena Williams, discussed the split with Osaka and her subsequent run in Montreal with CNN. 'The thing that was missing was the competitiveness,' Mouratoglou said of Osaka on when the pair were working together. 'I think she's a great competitor, but at that time she was not as good as a competitor as I think can be and she has been in the past. And this is the thing that we didn't solve. 'I wish we could have more time to solve it. But we didn't, that's life, and I have no regrets on that because that's the rule when you work in high level. 'I mean, time is important, and you have to solve the problems fast. So I think that was the key that was missing. 'And when we stopped, I said to her, 'I mean, I think you're ready. If you find the person that will help you get back your efficiency during the matches, I think you're ready to do great results right now, and I hope it's going to happen very soon.'' Mouratoglou released a book in the spring called 'Champion Mindset,' which focuses on the mental approach to the game and life. He was asked by CNN if he would describe himself as a tennis coach or a mental coach. 'The mental is a huge part of that sport, probably the most important part,' Mouratoglou said to CNN. 'So I think it's important that the coaches are able to also help the players on that aspect of the game. 'Am I a mental coach? I hope I'm not only a mental coach because, you know what, when you are a coach, as tennis is so complex, there is a huge technical aspect – a huge mental aspect, and the physical is extremely important. 'So every player will bring you different problematics that you have to solve; otherwise they would be No. 1 already. If they're not, it means on the way from where they are to No. 1, you will have to solve things and help them solve them. 'So my goal is to have the tools to solve any kind of, do I think I'm maybe better on the on the mental side? I think so, but I hope I'm good enough on the other ones too.' After the split with Mouratoglou, Osaka started working with Polish tennis coach Tomasz Wiktorowski, known for his success with Iga Swiatek. In that three-year partnership, Swiatek won four major titles. Wiktorowski also coached another former Polish tennis star in Agnieszka Radwanska. Osaka told reporters Sunday she is enjoying working with Wiktorowski. 'I enjoy his coaching style,' she said Sunday. 'He's very direct and to the point. For someone like me, who my thoughts scatter around often, it's very helpful.' On how she currently measures success, Osaka still is eying the majors, saying: 'I talked to my dad, and he said, 'Just being healthy and happy is a form of success.' I agree with that, but I want more. 'I mean, definitely of course I would want to win slams, of course I would want to be in the top 10, but I think I need to pace myself and go for the mini goals, and they'll eventually turn into the big goals. 'I think being in the quarterfinals here is a step to hopefully getting to the semis and the finals, so I'll try to treat it more like that.'
Fox Sports
3 hours ago
- Fox Sports
Cal Raleigh Home Run Odds: Can Mariners Star Outslug Other Big Bats?
Major League Baseball Cal Raleigh Home Run Odds: Can Mariners Star Outslug Other Big Bats? Updated Aug. 5, 2025 1:27 p.m. ET share facebook x reddit link Are we on the cusp of crowning a new home run king in Major League Baseball ? Out of nowhere, Seattle's Cal Raleigh is swinging with the big dogs. He leads the sport in home runs (42), smashing more dingers than both Shohei Ohtani (38) and Aaron Judge (37) as of Aug. 5. Where will Raleigh land in his quest for his first home run title? Let's check out the odds at DraftKings Sportsbook as of Aug. 5. Most regular season total home runs Cal Raleigh: -150 (bet $10 to win $16.67 total) Kyle Schwarber: +280 (bet $10 to win $38 total) Shohei Ohtani: +400 (bet $10 to win $50 total) Aaron Judge: +500 (bet $10 to win $60 total) Eugenio Suarez: +1900 (bet $10 to win $200 total) Cal Raleigh regular season total home runs Over 62.5: +750 (bet $10 to win $85 total) Under 62.5: -1400 (bet $10 to win $10.71 total) First, the all-time single-season record of 73. Raleigh is nowhere near favored to approach that mark, set by Barry Bonds in 2001. In order to break that record, the Seattle slugger would need to hit 32 homers in the next 49 games. Not impossible, but highly unlikely. As for the American League record, Judge hit 62 home runs in 2022, breaking Roger Maris' previous record of 61, which he accomplished back in 1961. Raleigh would have to go deep 21 times in the next 49 games to pass Judge. The 28-year-old Seattle catcher has been a revelation in the Pacific Northwest this season. He was named an All-Star for the first time, and is third in Major League Baseball with 88 RBIs. ADVERTISEMENT In terms of his home run numbers, he hit two in 2021 (rookie year), 27 in 2022, 30 in 2023 and 34 last season, a number he had already surpassed prior to the All-Star Game. Raleigh hit nine home runs in the month of July, 11 in June and 12 in May. He is currently third in slugging (.597), fourth in OPS (.957) and third in WAR (5.4). Beyond leading the home run race, Raleigh is also the clear No. 2 in the AL MVP odds at +150. He made headlines last week by breaking the record for homers by a switch-hitting catcher. As for the odds to lead MLB in homers, Raleigh remains the favorite, with Kyle Schwarber not too far behind. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account , and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! share
Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Newsweek
Aaron Boone Offers Blunt 4-Word Response to Yankees Struggles After Latest Loss
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The New York Yankees were swept by the Miami Marlins over the weekend and picked up their fourth consecutive loss on Monday night against the Texas Rangers. The Yankees entered Tuesday in third place in the American League East. The team is 25-31 since the start of June, and Aaron Boone had a blunt message on how his team needs to move on from this rough stretch. "Gotta get over it," Boone told reporters after the team's struggles following its 8-5 loss against the Rangers, per SNY's Ben Krimmel. ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 19: Manager Aaron Boone #17 of the New York Yankees points to the bullpen during the fourth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on July 19, 2025 in Atlanta,... ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 19: Manager Aaron Boone #17 of the New York Yankees points to the bullpen during the fourth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on July 19, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. More Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images The Yankees' issues can't be linked to one singular thing. On some nights, their pitching is letting them down, and on others, it's the offense. If both are clicking, then the baserunning and defense find a way to be a problem. "We gotta win games," Boone continued, per Krimmel. "The season's getting shorter in a hurry, so it's no time for excuses and feeling bad. I know everyone feels like crap, but we gotta go take it. Haven't been able to do that on this road trip so far, but we gotta do better." There are fewer than 50 games to play, and the Yankees seemingly have a lot of work to do if they want to be considered a real threat in the American League. The Yankees are 5 1/2 games back of the division lead, and while they can still come back to take the top spot, time is not on their side. More MLB: Yankees Make Abrupt Jake Bird Roster Decision Following Brutal Loss
