The Cleveland Guardians and their fans are all holding their breath while they wait for Shane Bieber’s 2025 fate.
The potential of having their ace healthy, locked, and loaded for the second half is tantalizing.
Those plans suffered a hit this week, though.
A few days after making his first rehab start this past weekend in the Complex League, Bieber complained of elbow soreness following a bullpen session.
He was scheduled to start for Double-A Akron on Friday, but that won’t be happening.
Instead, the Guards announced a new plan for their prized ace.
“Shane Bieber will be shut down from throwing until the middle of next week (one week from when soreness surfaced). He’ll be re-checked at that point to determine his readiness to continue his progression,” team insider Zack Meisel posted on X.
Shane Bieber will be shut down from throwing until the middle of next week (one week from when soreness surfaced). He’ll be re-checked at that point to determine his readiness to continue his progression. https://t.co/KjorWvWhIT
— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) June 6, 2025
The team said that it’s not uncommon for pitchers recovering from Tommy John surgery to feel soreness at some point in their rehab, but they want to give Bieber a week without throwing, starting from the moment he felt the soreness, to see if he can resume his rehab.
From #Guardians: “Shane Bieber reported soreness to his surgically repaired elbow. While experiencing soreness during the UCL reconstruction rehab process is not uncommon, our team doctors and surgeon, Dr. Keith Mesiter, have recommended Shane not throw for one week.” Bieber will…
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) June 6, 2025
It’s unknown if Bieber had to undergo another MRI following this week’s news, but the whole situation should become much clearer within the next week.
There is a chance Bieber can resume throwing next week with a slightly adjusted return timeline, but the risk of him missing the season or another extended period is still dangerously lurking.
At this point, even though it’s fair to point out that the Guardians rotation has improved in recent games, they need Bieber back at his best to have a chance at beating elite teams in a postseason series.
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