Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Shane Bieber couldn’t have had a better comeback performance.
In what was a truly inspirational story, Bieber, after undergoing Tommy John Surgery in April 2024, along with endless months of rehab and rehab games, was finally rewarded when on Friday, August 22nd, in a moment he won’t forget, he pitched for the first time in over a year, a major league game.
Showing the baseball world that he was indeed back, the 2020 Cy Young Award winner, who hadn’t toed a major league pitching rubber in 507 days to be exact, looked to be in mid-season form as he struck out nine batters while allowing only two hits, and surrendering only a single run and a hit batter over six innings during a 5-2 weekend series opening win at loanDepot Park against the Miami Marlins.
“Today it was all gratitude for what’s been a long road for my family and my support team that keep me going every day,” Bieber said. “Just awesome to share this moment with them.”
Bieber, who threw 87 pitches in the outing, surrendered a second-inning home run to Miami’s 5’7″ 150-pound infielder Javier Sanoja, who turned on a 93.7 mph fastball. This was his only blemish.
“For one, I’m excited for him. It’s been a long time for him to get back on the big-league mound,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “He’s an accomplished guy, so I think just watching him navigate a game is what we’re looking at.”
Blue Jays Pitcher Shane Bieber Has Solid Comeback Debut
Bieber Dominant in Final Rehab Start With Triple-A Buffalo Bisons
In total, Bieber pitched in seven rehab games and showed on Friday, August 15th, that he was ready to make his MLB comeback.
Knowing that his first major league baseball start in over a year was only days away, the veteran starting pitcher was simply dominant as he threw seven shutout innings while allowing only six hits and striking out four in a 90-pitch performance in a 2-0 win at Sahlen Field.
“You’re talking about a top-of-the-rotation pitcher, a guy who’s been in big moments, done well and really understands how to pitch. It’s exhilarating,” Schneider said.
During all his seven rehab starts, Bieber was in top form as he pitched 29 innings and posted a 1.86 ERA while recording 37 strikeouts.
Back in 2024, Bieber, who, as baseball fans know, was then with the Cleveland Guardians, got off to a fast start by winning his first two starts of the season when he injured his shoulder. A few days later, that’s when it was announced that he would need to undergo Tommy John Surgery.
Bieber Brings an Impressive Resume to Toronto
The Blue Jays made a statement to their fans when, back on July 31st at the MLB trade deadline, they traded top prospect, pitcher Khal Stephen, in exchange for Bieber.
One look at Bieber’s playing resume shows why this could be the decisive factor in the Jays this coming October winning the World Series.
Bieber’s best season came during the 2020 COVID-19 campaign when he led the AL in wins (8), ERA (1.63), and led the major leagues with 122 strikeouts. Bieber would go on that year to win the AL Cy Young Award.
Two years later, in 2022, Bieber, who went 13-8 with a 2.88 ERA, won the Gold Glove Award.
While the addition of Bieber obviously gives the Jays’ pitching staff more depth and a certified playoff starter, it’s still a big gamble in that this coming off-season, he can become a free agent.
However, the Jays weren’t thinking about that. All focus is on October, and the Jays’ front office should be applauded for pulling off this major move. Bieber made them look like geniuses after his win against Miami, and Jays fans are hoping there will be many repeat performances come October.
Main Image: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
