Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Shane Bieber has been sidelined on the 15-day injured list, a setback for the team as they vie for a wild-card position in the final stretch of the season. Bieber is facing inflammation in his teres major muscle near his right shoulder, with the IL placement backdated to last Friday following a strong performance against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider revealed that Bieber experienced discomfort during a bullpen session in New York, leading to an MRI showing a moderate to mild teres major injury. The loss of Bieber, who earned the AL Cy Young Award in 2020, is a disappointment for both him and the team. With a 5-2 record and a 4.37 ERA this season, Bieber had previously dealt with injuries early in the year related to his right elbow and forearm.
Schneider expressed optimism about Bieber’s eventual return but could not provide a specific timeline. The Blue Jays, currently 64-68, are trailing by two games for a wild-card spot in the AL. Despite the setback, Schneider acknowledged the challenges ahead given the team’s remaining games and Bieber’s strong performances.