DUNEDIN, Fla. – Shane Bieber is managing his expectations as his start to the Major League Baseball season is postponed once more. The Toronto Blue Jays announced Wednesday that Bieber will not be ready at the beginning of the season due to ongoing forearm fatigue, extending his time away from the mound after last year’s recovery from Tommy John surgery.
Bieber Remains Focused Amid Season Uncertainty
Speaking at the Blue Jays’ Player Development Centre, Bieber emphasized his commitment to gradual progress.
“You want to know, and you want to have a date in mind, but they do a good job of trying to keep me week to week,”
Bieber said.
“Ultimately, I’m just going to bed every night feeling happy that I feel good within my progression. We’re going to take it slow and be smart.”
He highlighted the importance of long-term success over immediate results.
“It’s not about how you start, it’s about how you finish, and we definitely know that, judging off the last year. I know this group’s hungry. I’m extremely hungry, and I can’t wait to get back there.”
Background: Bieber’s Recovery and Impact on Blue Jays
Bieber began last season on the injured list for the Cleveland Guardians while recuperating from surgery on his ulnar collateral ligament. After the 2020 Cy Young Award winner was traded to Toronto on July 31 in exchange for pitching prospect Khal Stephen, he finally made his season debut on August 22 in Miami.
He played a key role in Toronto’s push to the World Series, including pitching in the decisive Game 7 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, which resulted in a loss. Reflecting on that experience, Bieber said,
“It was my first time going through TJ, first time pitching that deep in the post-season, so there were a lot of new elements, right? A lot of new factors.”
He described those innings as the most intense he has ever pitched, adding,
“So it all makes sense, and I’m happy to have a plan going forward and feeling good right now.”
Extended Spring Training Regimen for Bieber
Currently, Bieber’s rehabilitation plan involves an elongated spring training approach, allowing for extra time at each phase typically required for a starting pitcher’s readiness.
“We all want to be out there and compete and perform. I’ll be competing in my own right, and trying to get back out there ASAP,”
Bieber remarked.
He acknowledged the challenge in maintaining focus, saying,
“Ultimately, I try not to focus on that stuff and the future, but it’s easier said than done, right? We all know that in our lives, but I’ll try to focus on the here and now, and I’m just feeling good within my progression, and you’ve got to hit every stop along the way.”
Team Depth and Management’s Perspective on Injuries
On Tuesday, the Blue Jays also announced that Bowden Francis will miss the entire 2026 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Despite losing two pitchers expected to contribute, team manager John Schneider expressed confidence in the roster’s depth.
“We’re kind of in a unique spot to where, from the pitching side, we have some depth on our major league roster already,”
Schneider said outside the clubhouse.
“When you’re talking about Bowden and (Bieber) being a little bit behind, it’s opening some opportunities for other guys, for one, and other guys that have been in that position.”
Bieber’s Career Stats and Contract Decision
Shane Bieber completed the 2025 regular season with a 4-2 record, a 3.57 earned-run average, and 37 strikeouts across 40.1 innings for the Blue Jays. Over his eight-year major league career, he holds a 66-34 record, a 3.24 ERA, and 995 strikeouts.
This offseason, Bieber chose to exercise his $16 million player option, opting to remain with Toronto rather than testing free agency.
“The reality of the matter is, I came off the TJ right into a pennant race, and I wouldn’t have it any other way,”
Bieber stated.
“Pitching in the World Series, and I gave it everything I got, as everybody else did in here, ultimately, I took my option.”
He also cited personal reasons for staying with the team, adding,
“I wanted to be back here. My family wanted to be back here.”
The Road Ahead for Bieber and the Blue Jays
Shane Bieber’s extended recovery and patient approach highlight the team’s cautious strategy to ensure his full readiness for competition. With manager John Schneider optimistic about pitching depth and young players stepping in, the Blue Jays appear prepared to navigate early-season challenges. Bieber’s eventual return is expected to strengthen Toronto’s rotation, with fans and teammates eager to see him regain his Cy Young form in the coming months.
