Cleveland Guardians ace Shane Bieber was supposed to make his third rehab start on Sunday in Triple-A.
However, the game was rained out, preventing the right-hander from taking the mound.
While Bieber has been working his way back from Tommy John surgery, MLB teams have been scouting him with a potential trade in mind.
These teams would have had three more days to evaluate Bieber’s most recent outing against Triple-A hitters, hold internal discussions about whether to try to trade for him, and attempt to convince the Guardians to accept a player or a package in return.
Now, however, this process will now be a little shorter.
“So, no Shane Bieber rehab start tonight. No minor league games tomorrow. They’ll have to get Bieber his next outing on July 29, 48 hours before the trade deadline. Let drama ensue,” Justin Lada wrote on X.
So no Shane Bieber rehab start tonight.
No minor league games tomorrow.
They'll have to get Bieber his next outing on July 29, 48 hours before the trade deadline.
Let drama ensue https://t.co/yOq1NMY9Cz
— Justin L. (jlbaseball on bluesky) (@JL_Baseball) July 27, 2025
There aren’t any minor league games on Monday, so Bieber can’t pitch in a competitive setting that day.
The Guardians will have to wait until Tuesday for his next outing, as he will presumably take the ball for Columbus.
After he pitches, teams will have a better idea of his readiness to contribute, the quality of his stuff, his post-surgery command, and many other things.
There is interest in Bieber, and the Guardians are all ears.
The pitcher has a $16 million player option for next year, so he is the ultimate gamble.
If his stuff doesn’t bounce back, a team could be on the hook for that contract next season.
NEXT: Analyst Reveals 'Golden Opportunity' For Guardians Before Trade Deadline
