The Cleveland Guardians reported this week that everything is going smoothly with Shane Bieber’s rehab from Tommy John surgery.
They said, in a press release, that he had increased his throwing distance to 120 feet and that he would start mound work in mid-February.
Well, it’s mid-February, and guess what? Bieber returned to the mound to throw a bullpen on Saturday.
There is video evidence, of course.
Bieber. Bullpen.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/tgvB1yjoql
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) February 15, 2025
Everything is going according to the plan.
The plan, so far, is to have Bieber back in the Guardians rotation in the first half or around the break.
It looks like he could beat that timeline, though.
Of course, Cleveland won’t rush Bieber: they need to let him regain his feel for pitching at his own pace without having to force things.
The thought of having him back at full strength for the stretch run and the postseason is bringing excitement to fans, though.
The team lacked length and quality in the rotation during last year’s October run, and they still made it to the American League Championship Series.
With another season of experience for Tanner Bibee and Gavin Williams, a modest step forward from Luis L. Ortiz, and Bieber in top form, it’s hard not to get excited about the future.
Granted, many things can go wrong, but Bieber does give the rotation a different kind of ceiling.
After all, he has a brilliant 3.22 career ERA and is a lock for 200 strikeouts if his arm allows it.
It will be a long progression until he is ready to pitch in MLB games, but so far, so good.
NEXT: Guardians Top Pitching Prospect Might Miss The Entire Season
