Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Shane Bieber has been placed on the 15-day injured list, a setback for the team as they vie for a wild-card spot in the final stretch of the season. Bieber, a seasoned player, is currently sidelined with inflammation in his teres major muscle located beneath his right shoulder. The team made the retroactive move to the injured list following Bieber’s recent performance where he pitched seven strong innings in a victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider disclosed that Bieber experienced discomfort during a bullpen session in New York on Sunday, prompting an immediate MRI scan that revealed a moderate to mild teres major injury. Schneider expressed disappointment over the situation, acknowledging the impact on both Bieber and the team.
Bieber, who was the recipient of the American League Cy Young Award in 2020, holds a 5-2 record this season with a 4.37 earned-run average. Earlier in the season, he faced challenges with right elbow inflammation and forearm fatigue, causing him to miss the initial two months due to injury.
While Schneider remains optimistic about Bieber’s potential return this season, he refrained from providing a specific timeline for his comeback. With Toronto currently trailing by two games in the American League wild-card race, the timing of Bieber’s injury is deemed unfortunate, considering the team’s position and the pitcher’s recent form. Schneider acknowledged the team’s resilience in handling such setbacks throughout the season.
As of Tuesday, the Toronto Blue Jays hold a 64-68 record as they continue to push for a spot in the playoffs amidst a competitive race in the league.