Bieber's Anticipated Return
Blue Jays' Shane Bieber Set for Season Debut Amid Key Player Injuries
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Shane Bieber is set to make his 2026 season debut on Monday, June 22, when the Toronto Blue Jays open a 10-game home stand against the Houston Astros at Rogers Centre. The 31-year-old right-hander, a former Cy Young Award winner, was cleared to start after completing a final bullpen session in Chicago, with manager John Schneider confirming, "All signs point towards he'll be ready to go," according to Vancouver Sun.
Bieber's return is a major relief for a Blue Jays rotation that has been gutted by injuries. Toronto sits at 37-39, third in the AL East and 10 games behind the New York Yankees. The team has lost starters Jose Berrios and Cody Ponce to season-ending surgeries, and most recently placed veteran Max Scherzer on the 15-day injured list with back spasms on June 17, per Edmonton Journal.
A Long Road Back From Elbow Trouble
Bieber's path to Monday's start has been anything but smooth. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2024, then missed the start of 2026 after being shut down in Spring Training with forearm fatigue and right elbow inflammation. He was placed on the 60-day injured list before beginning a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo, according to Ottawa Citizen.
His rehab numbers raised some eyebrows. Across five minor league starts, Bieber posted a 6.88 ERA in 17.0 innings, striking out 14 batters while walking 5. In his final rehab outing on June 17, he threw 80 pitches over five innings. Despite the rough stats, Bieber said he was "happy with how he felt," per Leader Post.
Rotation in Crisis: Berrios, Ponce, and Scherzer All Down
The Blue Jays entered 2026 with nine MLB-caliber starters on the roster, banking on the idea that "you can never have enough pitching." That depth has been shredded. Cody Ponce tore his right ACL on March 30. Jose Berrios underwent Tommy John surgery on May 20 after a stress fracture damaged his elbow ligament. His recovery timeline runs 12 to 18 months, meaning he likely won't pitch again until mid-2027, per Edmonton Sun.
With seven pitchers currently on the injured list — four of them starters — the Blue Jays have been forced to use bullpen days and waiver pickups like Patrick Corbin to fill the void. Kevin Gausman recently allowed seven runs in just two innings, adding to the pressure on Bieber to stabilize the staff, according to The Whig.
High Stakes: Bieber Pitching for a Contract and a Playoff Push
Bieber exercised a $16 million player option last November to stay in Toronto rather than test free agency. That decision now puts him under a microscope. His performance over the final three months of 2026 will determine whether he earns a long-term deal this winter or remains seen as a health risk, per Observer.
Some analysts point to worrying signs from his 2025 season. Despite a 3.57 ERA, he posted a 48.2% hard-hit rate and a 12.3% barrel rate — both career worsts. National analysts describe his return as a "high-risk, high-reward" move. But if he pitches well, it could also reduce pressure on the front office to overpay for a starter before the July trade deadline, according to Brantford Expositor.
Postseason Hero Now Asked to Save a Struggling Season
Toronto's fans remember Bieber as the ace who outdueled Shohei Ohtani in Game 4 of last year's World Series, throwing 5.1 innings of one-run ball. The Blue Jays ultimately lost that series to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7. He finished the 2025 postseason with a 3.86 ERA over 18.2 innings across five appearances, per Fairview Post.
Now, Bieber joins a rotation of Dylan Cease, Kevin Gausman, Patrick Corbin, and Trey Yesavage. His return allows Toronto to run a full five-man rotation for the first time this season. The 10-game home stand against Houston, followed by other AL opponents, gives the Blue Jays a real window to climb back toward .500 and into playoff contention, according to Woodstock Sentinel Review.
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