Shane Bieber continued pitching until the pain became too much to bear. The ace pitcher for Cleveland, who had been performing exceptionally well in recent games, will undergo Tommy John surgery, a significant setback for both the team and the 2020 Cy Young winner.
Despite experiencing increasing discomfort in his elbow, Bieber managed to pitch impressively, striking out 20 batters and keeping a clean slate over 12 innings in his last two starts against Oakland and Seattle.
Cleveland’s president of baseball operations, Chris Antonetti, praised Bieber’s resilience and determination in handling the pain while delivering strong performances on the mound. The 28-year-old pitcher, who dealt with elbow issues and was limited to 21 starts last season, first felt the pain after his opening-day start against the A’s.
Despite concerns from the team and additional treatment, Bieber decided to push through the discomfort and make his next start against the Mariners, pitching six innings despite worsening soreness and inflammation.
After returning to Cleveland for further tests and consultations with renowned orthopedists Dr. Keith Meister and Dr. Neal ElAttrache, Bieber opted for Tommy John surgery, realizing it would require a recovery period of up to 16 months.
Antonetti emphasized that Bieber’s decision was tough, and the pitcher felt he was letting down his teammates and fans. However, Antonetti reassured Bieber that his professionalism, leadership, and dedication to the team were undeniable.
Dr. Meister will perform the surgery in Dallas soon. Despite Bieber’s successful recovery in Arizona, the Guardians now face the harsh reality of his prolonged absence from the field.
Bieber, whose contract with the Guardians is nearing its end, has been a key figure for the team, boasting 62 wins and 32 losses with a 3.22 ERA in 134 career starts. He led the league in wins, ERA, and strikeouts during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season and was named to the All-Star team in 2019, earning MVP honors when Cleveland hosted the event.
