Blue Jays’ Shane Bieber trending in right direction with latest injury update

The Toronto Blue Jays have not had Shane Bieber on the mound at all this campaign, as he has been on the IL due to right elbow inflammation. However, with the summer finally here, it appears he is nearing his 2026 season debut.

Reports indicate that the 31-year-old right-hander will join the Blue Jays on their current road trip after reaching 80 pitches in his last Triple-A rehab start, according to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. An official return date has not yet been announced, but it sounds like Bieber has a chance to take the mound at some point in the series against the Boston Red Sox or the next series against the Chicago Cubs.

“Shane Bieber reached 80 pitches in his latest AAA rehab start,” said Bannon. “5IP 5ER 2K 4BB 2HR 60% strikes. Fastball averaged 91.8 mph, peaked at 93.0. He’ll join the Blue Jays on the road to determine next steps.”

When the eight-year veteran eventually returns, he will likely replace Max Scherzer in the starting rotation, as Scherzer has had a poor campaign so far this season. That should give Toronto a big boost in pitching, considering Bieber owned a 3.57 ERA and 1.017 WHIP with 37 strikeouts in 2025.

Injuries have been an issue for Shane Bieber as of late. He was forced to undergo Tommy John surgery in 2024, which forced him to miss most of the 2025 season. This year, he has been dealing with inflammation in that same right elbow, but has been working his way back slowly.

The Blue Jays will be getting Bieber back at a crucial time of the season. Toronto is 10 games behind the first-placed New York Yankees in the AL East. The hope is for the club to continue climbing the ranks with Bieber back in the rotation.

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