The wait is sort of over in Toronto. Shane Bieber, the previous Cy Younger Award winner and the Blue Jays’ boldest Commerce Deadline addition, is on the cusp of constructing his extremely anticipated debut. And if Friday night time’s remaining rehab begin in Buffalo was any indication, the ace is able to roll.
Bieber dominated in his outing with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, tossing seven scoreless innings whereas scattering six hits, hanging out 4, and issuing no walks. The 30-year-old reached 90 pitches, his highest whole since present process Tommy John surgical procedure, with 64 of them going for strikes. His fastball averaged 92.5 mph and touched 94.3, numbers that mirror his peak seasons from 2020 and 2021. For Toronto, that’s a large signal of encouragement.
“It’s an grownup presence,” supervisor John Schneider mentioned of Bieber’s addition. “It’s a man with a Cy Younger Award. That, coupled with what his stuff appears like and the way he’s rebounding from his outings, it’s all actually encouraging. It clearly raises the ground, but it surely actually raises the ceiling if he’s what we predict he may be.”
Blue Jays getting their new ace quickly with all eyes on the Postseason
The Blue Jays have lengthy been constructed on regular veteran arms, however including Bieber modifications the equation. This isn’t about scraping into the postseason anymore — it’s about profitable the AL East and positioning themselves for a deep October run. Bieber’s arsenal appeared sharp throughout the board in Buffalo. His slider averaged 85.3 mph, his cutter sat close to 88, and his knuckle curve was proper in step with his pre-injury type. Maybe most intriguing, Bieber unveiled a “completely different” changeup that averaged 88.8 mph, giving hitters yet one more wrinkle to fret about.
Toronto paid a steep worth to land Bieber, parting with breakout right-hander and top-five prospect Khal Stephen. However the early returns counsel the gamble was value it. Bieber appeared like greater than only a rehab venture — he appeared just like the rotation chief the Blue Jays envisioned once they pulled the set off on the deadline.
The timing might hardly be higher. With Toronto battling for positioning atop the division, slotting Bieber into the rotation offers each a jolt of power and a stabilizing drive. Schneider and pitching coach Pete Walker now face the duty of integrating him seamlessly, however the veteran-laden workers has already embraced the plan.
“We’ve talked to those guys a number of occasions already,” Schneider defined. “It can depend upon what our starters have performed, what our bullpen appears like. We now have a number of plans in place … the entire starters are on board.”
The seemingly debut? Bieber might take the mound throughout subsequent weekend’s highway collection in Miami, with a potential Rogers Centre introduction the next week in opposition to Milwaukee. Nonetheless the schedule shakes out, Toronto followers received’t have to attend lengthy.
On Friday night time, Bieber confirmed he’s not simply again — he’s prepared. And for the Blue Jays, his arrival could possibly be the distinction between one other early exit and a reliable shot at October glory.