Ex-Guardians Cy Young Award winner nearing MLB return with Blue Jays
This year's trade deadline provided the Cleveland Guardians the opportunity to offload three of their star players: outfielder Steven Kwan, closer Emmanuel Clase and starting pitcher Shane Bieber. Only one of them made a move elsewhere.
Kwan (because the Guardians couldn't find an offer to their liking) and Clase (because he was placed on non-disciplinary paid leave on July 28 and is actively being investigated by MLB for his role in a gambling probe) both remain with the team, but Bieber was dealt to the Toronto Blue Jays, the squad with the best record in the American League (68-48).
Bieber's last MLB start came on April 2, 2024, and he has since been on the shelf recovering from Tommy John surgery. He made his first rehab start on May 31 of this year and has excelled in the minor leagues, allowing four runs on 12 hits and earning 27 strikeouts to just two walks across 16.1 innings pitched.
The Blue Jays will remain cautious with Bieber's arm as they ramp up his pitch count, but his early success indicates that his return to the big leagues could be around the corner.
"The former Cy Young Award winner's return is approaching," ESPN's Alden Gonzalez wrote. "The right-hander made his fifth rehab start — and first since being acquired by the Blue Jays — on Sunday, striking out six batters across five innings. He'll make another start on Saturday, then perhaps one more after that. Then the Blue Jays will see if they can get the front-line starter they envisioned when they unloaded promising pitching prospect Khal Stephen to pry Bieber from the Cleveland Guardians last week."
Upon being called up to the Blue Jays' active roster, Bieber will provide an immediate jolt to a team with championship aspirations — so long as he remains healthy.
"If he's close to what he was even after winning the AL Cy Young Award in 2020 — a guy who put up a 3.13 ERA and struck out 459 batters in 436.2 innings from 2021 to 2024 — he can join Kevin Gausman and José Berríos to form a really solid rotation trio in October," Gonzalez wrote. "But the initial returns from Tommy John surgery can be tricky. Just ask Sandy Alcántara."
The Guardians, despite losing Bieber, remain firmly in the hunt for a playoff spot. With a 59-55 record in tow, the club is six games behind the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central but just 1.5 games behind the New York Yankees for the league's third wild card spot.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Randy Arozarena's RBI groundout
Randy Arozarena beats out the double play attempt, allowing Dominic Canzone to score and cutting the Mariners' deficit to two runs
Yahoo
5 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Buford High football team to take the field at new $62 million football field tonight
Buford is set to make history with the opening of its new $62 million high school football stadium, Philip Beard Stadium, which will host its first game tonight. The stadium, which is the most expensive high school stadium in Georgia, can accommodate 10,000 fans and features a 3,500 square foot video board and 15 luxury suites. It is funded by the city's general fund and is seen as a significant investment in the community. 'It shows the ultimate show of community. I mean, the community of Buford built the stadium,' said Brandon Neighbors, a parent of a Buford High School player. Parents and community members have been eagerly gathering at the stadium, proud of the new facility and excited to support their children. TRENDING STORIES: Pregnant wife of former Atlanta Hawks player attacked by shark Kirby Smart reveals his secret about ordering in Chick-fil-A drive-thru Fulton County Schools bus drivers fired for violating safety policy 'He's excited to be in front of the bright lights,' said Crystal Acevedo, a parent, as she prepared to watch her son play. The stadium's opening game will feature Buford High School against Milton High School, marking a significant moment for the players who will be the first to take the field. 'They know it's at stake, but they just treat it as another game,' commented a parent. City leaders envision the stadium as more than just a venue for football games, hoping it will serve as a landmark for Buford. 'This is unprecedented, right? The stadium, the cost, the value, the way it looks, it is unprecedented,' Acevedo said. As the lights come on for the first time, Buford is betting $62 million that this stadium will put them on the map for good. 'It's beautiful, but these kids, it's great that they get to put the pads on and going in there and have fun,' said Travis Pope, reflecting the community's excitement and pride.
Yahoo
5 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Undrafted WR Isaiah Bond no longer faces sexual assault charge, announces future plans with Cleveland Browns
Former Texas and Alabama wide receiver Isaiah Bond has been no-billed and is no longer facing the sexual assault charge he was arrested on two weeks before he went undrafted, according to Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis in Texas. "After reviewing all the evidence presented, a Collin County grand jury returned a 'no bill' in the sexual assault charge involving Isaiah Bond, meaning no indictment will be issued," Willis said in a statement Thursday, via ESPN. "This concludes the criminal proceedings in this matter." Bond then announced his future plans with the Cleveland Browns, although ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that no deal has been finalized. "First and foremost, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the Cleveland Browns for believing in me and allowing me the opportunity to continue my career in the NFL," Bond wrote in a statement he posted to X. He later added: "I know there have been questions and reports about the recent allegations. I am grateful for the decision of the prosecutor and the courts not to pursue charges. I will learn from this experience as I grow in wisdom, character and faith. On the advice of my attorney, I will not discuss the details of this case, but I want to be clear: From the very beginning, I have refuted these allegations and maintained my innocence. I stand firm by that today." This story is being updated.
