The veteran has been throwing sessions in preparation for ramping up to game action, starting the season on the IL with a forearm issue.
Many were surprised that Bieber decided to opt into his player option for the 2026 season, worth $12 million, and potentially leaving some deserved free agent money on the table. After finding himself on the sidelines to begin the campaign, fans can see why Bieber opted to run it back with the Jays for one more season.
Shane Bieber sighting 👀
He threw a 2-up bullpen this morning at Tropicana Field ⚾️
📺: Blue Jays Central LIVE on Sportsnet
Adding Bieber to that trio would give Toronto another ace who should be consistently pitching at least six innings. This will save an overtaxed bullpen that has pitched the sixth-most innings (202 1/3) of any relief corps in the league. So far, the relievers have been league-average in ERA (4.05, 16th in MLB) but have converted just 10 of 20 save opportunities with a losing record of 11-14. Having Bieber back in the fold would allow Jays manager John Schneider to use his bullpen arms more strategically and put relievers in positions where they can be more successful instead of having to use multiple relievers to get through bullpen games.
Welcoming Bieber back to the rotation would also give the Blue Jays one of the most impressive collections of strikeout pitchers in the big leagues.
Cease has more K’s than any other pitcher. Gausman’s strikeout numbers (8.3 SO/9) aren’t as gaudy as they were a few years ago, but he’s still capable of turning back the clock. As we saw in last fall’s postseason run, Yesavage can rack up his share of strikeouts. Bieber has averaged 10.1 K/9 for his career and punched out nine batters in his Jays debut last August. Having a quartet of starters generating whiffs is important, and limits balls in play, with the team’s defence not as reliable as it was last season.
Bieber is expected to return to the team sometime in June, when the margin for error will be slimmer. Having a strong starting four will allow Schneider to use his staff to maximize efficiency and take advantage of matchups.
The right-hander will also join Gausman, Cease, and the rest of the starters to give the Jays one of the most experienced rotations in important games. That group has pitched in countless late-season, impactful games over the years, and they will be leaned on heavily down the stretch.