For a team that prides itself on its excellent pitching development system, the Cleveland Guardians’ staff hasn’t been anything to write home about this year.
Heading into Thursday, they rank 23rd among the 30 teams with a 4.12 ERA.
It’s not that bad, but it could be much, much better.
Their starters are also 23rd in baseball, with a 4.22 ERA.
Ben Lively, the best pitcher on the Guardians’ rotation this year, was recently lost to Tommy John surgery, and just like that, Cleveland has to replace someone who had put up a 3.22 ERA.
The rest of the staff has been wildly inconsistent.
Cleveland sports analyst Bruce Drennan sent a reminder: this Guardians team badly needs Shane Bieber back.
“We can’t get Shane Bieber back here QUICK enough,” he posted on X.
Bruce talks about the #Guardians starting pitchers and the NEED for Shane Bieber to return. #GuardsBall
"We can't get Shane Bieber back here QUICK enough."
Presented by @drinkgaragebeerhttps://t.co/UsJc4UIb6p pic.twitter.com/WHcU2h4jNA
— Bruce Drennan Show (@Bruce_Drennan) May 29, 2025
Bieber will pitch his first rehab game on Saturday in the Arizona Complex League, a rookie-level circuit.
It’s unfair to ask one man to save the Guardians rotation and probably their season, but a healthy Bieber has top-ten pitcher upside.
Cleveland needs someone who can take the ball every five days and be competitive every single outing.
They have missed that, and Bieber could provide it as long as he is healthy.
It’s a lot to ask from a guy who still has at least two or three weeks of rehab starts to clear, though.
Unless the Guardians are willing to invest top prospects to bring in an impact pitcher or can get more consistency from Gavin Williams and Luis Ortiz, they have no choice but to rely on Bieber heavily when he returns.
NEXT: Guardians Claim Intriguing Lefty Off Waivers
