Shane Bieber set to start for Blue Jays on Monday

Bieber was a key cog in Toronto’s unexpected drive to the World Series last year and is attempting to make it back for another postseason run. The 31-year-old has been on the shelf with teres major inflammation that cropped up in late August. He’s expected to throw a bullpen session at some point in the near future. Given where he is from a throwing progression standpoint where he still needs to face hitters in live batting practice before getting into a simulated game, it might be unrealistic to expect him back unless the Blue Jays go on an extended playoff run again.

Schneider added that Bieber underwent an MRI that revealed the issue after experiencing discomfort while throwing a bullpen session recently. It seems highly unlikely he’ll make it back before the end of the regular season with just over four weeks remaining. It’s a tough break for the Blue Jays, and fantasy managers, since he was pitching much better in recent weeks. He’s not worth stashing in shallow mixed leagues at this advanced point of the year.

This is a nasty surprise. Bieber had allowed just one run in each of his last two starts, taking him to 5-2 with a 4.53 ERA in 11 starts overall. No word yet on his chances of making it back before the end of the season, but it’s probably safe to drop him. The Jays could turn the rotation spot over to Simeon Woods Richardson for now or perhaps start the newly recalled Chad Dallas on Wednesday.

Bieber struck out a season-high seven and completed seven innings for the second time in 11 starts this season. the first time was also against the Rays in a 3-1 victory four weeks ago. He’s 3-0 with a 2.96 ERA in four starts this month, and he’ll be a nice fantasy option against the Royals next week.

It was a nice bounce-back outing for Bieber, who allowed five earned runs to the Phillies in his last start. The righty held the Yankees in check all night, with his lone earned run coming on a solo homer by Trent Grisham in the sixth inning. Bieber draws a tough Rays team in his next start, which is scheduled for Thursday in Tampa Bay.

Bieber struck out four and walked three as the Jays lost 7-6 in 12 innings. He’s had a few blowups since returning from injury, but Sunday’s damage came primarily on two Kyle Schwarber homers. Bieber has been leaning into his changeup more this season. Entering the day, it was his only pitch with a positive run value. A matchup against the Yankees next time out sounds intimidating, but they haven’t been the same lineup without Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Cody Bellinger.

Bieber gave up a 419-foot fly to Taylor Trammell in the fourth that would have been a homer in 25 ballparks and a 403-footer to Christian Walker in the fifth that would have left the yard in 11, but both were flyouts tonight. Bouncing back nicely from last week’s bizarre start against the Nationals in which he walked six and was pulled in the first, Bieber had two walks and six strikeouts tonight. Still, given that he’s been rather homer-prone, he’s not a great play this weekend in Philadelphia.

This makes plenty of sense. The Phillies need another starter for the rotation and potentially another outfield bat as well. The Blue Jays could send any combination of Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, George Springer, and Daulton Varsho. The Phillies may also be interested in Jeff Hoffman for the bullpen. Would the Blue Jays want to take a chance that they can “fix” Andrew Painter? There is still time to go here and nothing imminent, but it seems like a pairing that makes sense.

Truly bizarre. Bieber had never walked six in a game before, much less in an inning. Three of the walks came with the bases loaded to force in runs. Bieber said after the game that he was having a tough time gripping the ball after an hourlong rain delay to start the game, and he probably deserves the benefit of the doubt for now. He’s due to make his next start Monday against the Astros.

Bieber allowed only five hard-hit balls, which is good because he carried just a 21 percent whiff rate over 86 pitches. It’s still a concerningly-low strikeout rate as he managed only three today and has just 22 in 30 2/3 innings so far. Bieber has reeled off three consecutive starts with two or fewer earned runs allowed to lower his ERA from 9.00 to 4.70, but he still feels like a tenuous option at this point. He’s lined up against a good Nationals lineup for his next start.