Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Saturday that Shane Bieber could throw off a mound as soon as next week, “in a perfect world,” as the right-hander continues to work his way back from a shoulder injury.
Schneider estimates that Bieber is about a week and a half behind fellow starter Trey Yesavage’s recovery timeline, according to MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson.
Bieber has been on the 15-day injured list since August 21 with inflammation in the teres major muscle in his throwing shoulder, which helps accelerate and internally rotate the arm during a baseball pitch. It’s his second stint on the IL this season. Elbow inflammation already delayed his 2026 start until June 23.
Between the two injuries, the 31-year-old posted a 4.37 ERA with 44 strikeouts in 55 2/3 innings, including a scoreless outing against the Tampa Bay Rays in his final start before his recent IL stint.
Yesavage’s own progress offers a preview of what Toronto hopes to see from Bieber. The 23-year-old threw his first bullpen session since left knee surgery on Friday, touching 92 mph over 23 pitches and describing the outing as “great,” per Matheson. He is scheduled for a second bullpen session on Monday, with live hitters and a rehab or simulated game to follow before returning to the mound.
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With Toronto still in the thick of the AL Wild Card race at 71-71, both pitchers could fuel a last-minute surge toward October, if their recoveries hold up through the season’s final weeks.
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