Cleveland Guardians right-handed pitcher Shane Bieber was originally scheduled to pitch for the Akron RubberDucks in a rehab assignment, but that won’t be happening for the time being.
Bieber was at one point slated to pitch in Double-A on Thursday, June 5 as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery. That was moved back a day to Friday, June 6. Now, it has been delayed entirely, as Bieber reported soreness following a bullpen session.
Bieber met with team doctors and Dr. Keith Meister, who performed Bieber’s elbow surgery in April 2024. Meister recommended that Bieber not throw for one week. He will be re-examined next week to determine his readiness to continue his return to pitch progression, the Guardians said in a release on Friday.
Bieber, 29, won the 2020 AL Cy Young award but has managed just 70 starts since 2021.
Shane Bieber contract
This offseason, as he recovered from the procedure, Bieber signed a one-year deal to return to Cleveland that included a player option for the 2026 season. He has thrown only two starts since the beginning of the 2024 season.