Shane Bieber is back. After more than a year away from the big leagues thanks to Tommy John surgery, the two-time All-Star is finally ready to return, and it’s all happening this Friday. And not just anywhere — we’re talking Miami, under the lights, in a debut start that could change the trajectory of the Blue Jays’ season, fans have waited a long time for this.
A Long Road Back Ends in Miami
Bieber hasn’t pitched in a major league game since last April. Torn UCL. Long rehab. Tough grind. But now, after seven strong rehab starts (1.89 ERA, 37 strikeouts in 29 innings — not too shabby), he’s about to step onto a mound in a Toronto uniform for the first time ever. If you’re a Jays fan, you’ve got every reason to be pumped.
Toronto’s Rotation Gets a Much-Needed Boost
And talk about timing. Toronto isn’t limping into the final stretch of the season — they’re leading the AL East with a 73-52 record, and they’ve built that on the back of a team that’s second in wins, fourth in strikeouts, and… okay, 23rd in ERA. That’s exactly why Bieber’s arrival matters so much. The rotation’s got firepower, but what it needs is consistency, and when healthy, Bieber’s about as steady as it gets.
Can the 2020 Cy Young Winner Recapture His Dominance?
During the pandemic-shortened season, Bieber basically dominated the entire league. He posted a league-best 1.63 ERA and racked up 122 strikeouts. He won the pitching triple crown as well as the Cy Young Award. That’s the ceiling we’re talking about. Even in 2023, when injuries started to creep in, he still managed a 3.80 ERA across 21 starts. Not elite, but definitely solid.
Now 30 years old and in a new uniform, Bieber’s in a fascinating spot. He’s no longer the young phenom — he’s the veteran trying to spark a playoff push in a new city. Can he do it? Can he anchor a rotation that desperately needs a reliable arm to close out the regular season?
One thing’s for sure: All eyes will be on that first pitch in Miami. And if the Shane Bieber of old shows up? Toronto just might have pulled off one of the best trade deadline moves of the year.
