It's a risk worth taking for Toronto. But it is a risk, to be sure.
The Blue Jays traded Thursday for Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Shane Bieber, a former Cy Young winner. But right now, Bieber is still in the minor leagues, rehabbing, not quite ready for a return to MLB yet.
To win the AL East, it's probably the right move for the Blue Jays. But it's not guaranteed to work.
Bieber just made a rehab outing with Double-A Akron on Tuesday. He's continuing his comeback from Tommy John surgery in April 2024.
The 30-year old Bieber went four innings for the Rubberducks, allowing one run on three hits while striking out seven. He threw 57 pitches.
Bieber likely lines up to start Sunday, if the Blue Jays keep him on his same rest schedule. That could come for Triple-A Buffalo.
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The right-hander has made three rehab starts so far. He had a setback in his injury comeback in June, which pushed his first rehab outing to July 15, which he made in the Arizona Complex League.
Bieber then started last week for High-A Lake County before his outing with Akron -- which only came after his attempted slot at Triple-A Columbus was rained out, twice.
The Blue Jays had been linked to various starting pitchers throughout the trade deadline process. Bieber had also been heavily aligned with the Cubs, but Chicago apparently couldn't get the deal done.
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If Bieber gets to the majors healthy, this will be his first time pitching for a team other than Cleveland.
He was a developmental success story with the Guardians, and in the final year of his contract, he's on his way north. The Blue Jays hope he's bringing a clean bill of health with him.
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