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    Shane Bieber fans six in win over Astros

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    TOR Starting Pitcher #57
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    Shane Bieber turned in 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball as the Blue Jays bested the Astros 3-1 on Monday.

    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.
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  • TOR Starting Pitcher #34
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    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.
  • TOR Starting Pitcher #57
    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.
  • TOR Starting Pitcher #57
    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.
  • TOR Starting Pitcher #57
    Bieber’s velocity today wasn’t quite as good as in his final start before the break, but at 92.3 mph on average with his fastball, he was still better than in his first three outings back. He was able to generate 13 whiffs and finish with a 33 percent CSW while throwing only 80 pitches to get his 18 outs. If the velocity heads south again, Bieber probably won’t be helpful in mixed leagues. Right now, though, he’s looking good. He’ll get the Rays at home on Thursday.
  • TOR Starting Pitcher #57
    Bieber got off to a rough start in this one. After walking the second batter he faced on the night, the righty then gave up a two-run homer to Xander Bogaerts to immediately put his team down 2-0. He would settle in after that, scattering just four hits and one walk over his next 3 2/3 innings of work before being pulled with two outs in the fifth inning to give the Blue Jays the left-on-left matchup with Gavin Sheets coming to the plate. Despite the rough start, it was a relatively solid outing for Bieber, who needed a bounce-back after allowing seven earned runs in his previous start. Bieber is still rounding into form after missing nearly three months due to injury. He’s allowed two earned runs in two of his four starts this season and should be poised for a strong second half of the season.
  • TOR Starting Pitcher #57
    In 33 career plate appearances with the bases loaded, Bieber hadn’t allowed a grand slam until the second inning today, when Randy Arozarena hit one. He also gave up a two-run homer in the fifth to end his day after 89 pitches. Bieber’s fastball averaged 91.9 mph today, which was basically a match for his first two outings, and he’s already given up six homers in 13 innings. His ability to hit the corners will probably improve as he continues to start regularly, but unfortunately, he just doesn’t seem like a mixed-league guy right now. He’ll likely make his next start Friday in San Diego.
  • TOR Starting Pitcher #57
    Bieber surrendered a leadoff homer to Joc Pederson in the first inning. He settled in nicely, holding the Rangers to just the one run into the sixth. He walked a batter and gave up a hit with one out before departing at 92 pitches with four strikeouts. He scattered five hits in all and issued four walks. The 31-year-old right-hander will look to carry some momentum after the encouraging start into a matchup against the Mariners in Seattle on Saturday.
  • TOR Starting Pitcher #57
    He gave up consecutive homers to Yainer Diaz, Cam Smith and Taylor Trammell in the fourth. Bieber, back from elbow inflammation, averaged 91.7 mph with his fastball, which is also right where he was in his Triple-A starts. That’s down about one mph from his seven starts post-Tommy John last year but still slightly better than his 91.3 mph average from 2022 and ’23. Ideally, he’ll get a little stronger as time goes on, but it’s not something to count on. Really, though, with his ability to locate, he can be effective where he is now. He just wasn’t sharp enough today. He has a couple of rather favorable starts coming up at home against the Rangers and in Seattle. If he’s not considerably better in those, then his status as a mixed-league SP should be reevaluated.
  • TOR Starting Pitcher #57
    Bieber was supposed to come off the IL to start Sunday against the Cubs, but that outing was postponed due to rain. The 31-year-old will instead make his season debut Tuesday against the Astros after missing the first two-plus months while recovering from his elbow ailment. Bieber is not the same dominant option he was for the Guardians a few years ago, but he’s a solid fantasy option who deserves roster consideration now that he’s healthy enough to bolster the Toronto rotation.
  • CHC Starting Pitcher #18
    It’ll be made up on August 6. There’s actually a ton to unpack here from a fantasy fallout standpoint. Toronto’s scheduled starter, Dylan Cease, will presumably take the ball for Monday’s series opener against the Astros. That would delay Shane Bieber’s return from the injured list for his season debut until Tuesday’s showdown in the Rogers Centre. Cease would close out a two-start week with a showdown against the Rangers at home. Meanwhile, Shota Imanaga gets the ball on Monday against the free-falling Mets as a part of a two-start week that wraps up with a road tilt against the Brewers.

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    George Lombard Jr. is at shortstop and hitting eighth on Wednesday against the Cardinals.

    Lombard put together a memorable debut in Yankee Stadium, making a couple flashy defensive plays in addition to launching his first career home run. The 21-year-old top prospect offers enough over-the-fence pop to be interesting in deeper fantasy leagues, but his stellar defense is the primary reason why New York is rolling with him for the final two months. He’s worthy of a speculative roster spot, but fantasy managers should keep their expectations in check since he’s still developing as a hitter at this early stage of his career.
  • MIL 1st Baseman #9
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    Jake Bauers (abdomen) remains out of the lineup for Wednesday’s game against the Pirates.

    Bauers takes a seat for the second straight contest as he continues to deal with abdominal soreness. It’s possible he’ll wind up requiring a trip to the injured list if he’s not feeling better in a couple days. It’ll be Andrew Vaughn handling the cold corner in his absence.
  • MIL Starting Pitcher #52
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    Brewers activated LHP Kyle Harrison from the 15-day injured list.

    Harrison gets the ball for Wednesday’s showdown against the Pirates following a one-month absence due to forearm tightness. The 24-year-old southpaw was a prominent breakout candidate in the first half, registering a sparkling 3.01 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 101/20 K/BB ratio across 83 2/3 innings over 17 starts, delivering top-20 fantasy value among starting pitchers in the process. He draws a favorable matchup in his return from the injured list and shouldn’t have a ton of workload restrictions over the final two months.
  • MIL Relief Pitcher #56
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    Brewers optioned RHP Grant Anderson to Triple-A Nashville.

    Anderson heads to the minors to make room for lefty starter Kyle Harrison on Milwaukee’s roster. The 29-year-old has been a mainstay in the club’s relief mix for the last couple years and holds a strong 3.70 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 41/18 K/BB ratio across 48 2/3 innings this season. He still has options left, which is why he’s the odd-man out.
  • WSH 1st Baseman #81
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    Abimelec Ortiz is at first base and hitting second on Wednesday against the Phillies.

    Ortiz was one of the big winners from a playing time standpoint at the trade deadline after the Nationals jettisoned Luis García Jr. to the Yankees. The 24-year-old should play everyday at first base against right-handed starters and offers enough over-the-fence pop to be an impactful addition in deeper mixed leagues, especially if he’s going to bat near the top of Washington’s lineup.
  • SD Starting Pitcher #33
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    Padres designated RHP Germán Márquez for assignment.

    Márquez’s departure clears a spot on San Diego’s roster for trade deadline acquisition Robbie Ray. The 31-year-old was bumped from the rotation in late July and was blasted for four runs during his lone inning of work against the Diamondbacks earlier this week. He finishes with a lackluster 5.26 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 37/24 K/BB ratio across 53 innings of work. There’s a chance another organization out there is willing to roll the dice, but it’s unlikely to be a contending club.
  • CIN Relief Pitcher #47
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    Reds recalled RHP Luis Mey from Triple-A Louisville.

    Mey throws extremely hard and has trouble throwing strikes on a consistent basis. The 25-year-old flamethrower gets another look with Cincinnati after starter Hunter Greene hit the injured list with an elbow issue. He’s posted an underwhelming 7.27 ERA, 1.96 WHIP and 14/10 K/BB ratio over 8 2/3 innings in the majors this season.
  • CIN Starting Pitcher #21
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    Reds placed RHP Hunter Greene on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to August 2, with right elbow soreness.

    As former Yankees manager Joe Girardi was fond of saying, it’s not what you want. Greene’s sudden departure from Cincinnati’s rotation comes with a lack of certainty regarding the severity of the issue and whether he’ll require another surgical procedure. He’s scheduled to meet with renowned surgeon Dr. Neal El Attrache in Los Angeles later this week. The hard-throwing 26-year-old has struggled to an inflated 6.83 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 33/9 K/BB ratio across 27 2/3 innings since returning from surgery to remove bone chips and loose bodies from his pitching elbow back on July 4. There should be some much-needed clarity regarding his next steps in the coming days. At this point, it’s challenging for fantasy managers to justify stashing him, especially in shallow formats.
  • LAA Relief Pitcher #55
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    Angels recalled LHP Tayler Saucedo from Triple-A Salt Lake.

    Saucedo gets the call to join Los Angeles’ bullpen with Sam Bachman landing on the injured list. The 33-year-old has been in the headlines lately after Cubs superstar, and NL MVP Award candidate, Pete Crow-Armstrong referenced on a recent podcast appearance Saucedo’s comments questioning the existence of Babe Ruth a few years ago. What a time to be alive.
  • LAA Relief Pitcher #40
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    Angels placed RHP Sam Bachman on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to August 3, with right forearm radial nerve inflammation.

    Bachman hits the shelf after telling reporters that he was dealing with some arm fatigue over the weekend. The 26-year-old holds a serviceable 4.14 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 46/27 K/BB ratio across 45 2/3 innings over 41 relief appearances in the big leagues this season. There’s a chance he’s done for the season with less than two months left on the calendar.