Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Shane Bieber has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to inflammation in his teres major muscle under his right shoulder, the team announced on Tuesday. This setback comes at a crucial time for the Blue Jays as they are competing for a wild-card spot in the final stretch of the season.
Bieber experienced discomfort during a bullpen session on Sunday in New York, prompting further evaluation. An MRI revealed a moderate to mild teres major injury, leading to his placement on the injured list retroactive to the previous Friday following a strong performance against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Manager John Schneider expressed disappointment over the situation, acknowledging the impact on both Bieber and the team. The former Cy Young Award winner holds a 5-2 record this season with a 4.37 earned-run average, having already faced earlier setbacks due to elbow inflammation and forearm fatigue.
While Schneider remains hopeful for Bieber’s return this season, no specific timeline has been provided. With Toronto currently two games behind a wild-card position in the American League, the team faces challenges in navigating Bieber’s absence during a critical period of the season.
Schneider emphasized the timing of the injury and the team’s need to adapt and persevere in light of Bieber’s absence, highlighting their resilience in overcoming similar challenges earlier in the season.