Shane Bieber’s recurring elbow issues are sidelining him once again, with surgery now a necessity, marking the second consecutive year of significant absence for the source’s ace.
It confirmed on Saturday that Bieber will undergo ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction surgery, with Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas guiding the process and determining the optimal timing for the procedure.
In response to Bieber’s setback, Cleveland placed him on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to April 3, while summoning right-hander Peter Strzelecki from Triple-A Columbus.
“First and foremost, we feel for Shane,” Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said.
“There’s a lot of things that he’s got to process right now and work through on the mental side because of just how set he is on wanting to pitch and contribute to the team. And not being able to do that has really impacted him.”
When Did This Happen?
After Bieber’s Opening Day appearance in Oakland, he encountered more discomfort during his recovery than anticipated.
The source deliberated with him on potential courses of action. One option was to postpone his next start and undergo additional treatment. However, Bieber initially aimed to power through, buoyed by his pain-free Spring Training.
Yet, as he took the mound once more in Seattle, the discomfort persisted.
Consequently, the team opted for further evaluations, leading to additional tests and scans.
These revealed a recurrence of the injury to the same ligament that troubled him the previous year.
Following consultations with Dr. Meister and Dr. Neal ElAttrache, surgery emerged as the most viable path forward.
“The amount of work that this guy’s put in over the last few years, the things that he’s pitched through, that’s a testament to who he is,” manager Stephen Vogt said.
“The amount of empathy and pain that I feel with Shane, for Shane, that’s really what speaks the loudest right now.”
Despite Bieber’s impressive performances in his first two outings, amassing 20 strikeouts over 12 innings, he concealed any signs of discomfort.
His velocity displayed an upward trajectory, and his changeup and curveball showcased remarkable improvement, reminiscent of his 2020 American League Cy Young form.
However, Bieber’s resurgence was abruptly halted, leaving uncertainty shrouding his future endeavors.
Who Takes Shane Bieber’s Spot in the Rotation?
Gavin Williams remains weeks away from returning, while Hunter Gaddis solidifies his role in relief. Tyler Beede serves as Cleveland’s long-relief option and could transition to the rotation, albeit with limited pitch count initially.
Unfortunately, No. 11 prospect Joey Cantillo faces a two-month hiatus due to a hamstring strain.
The source pin their hopes on Ben Lively and Xzavion Curry to expedite their recovery processes.
Both faced setbacks at the onset of the season, sidelined for two weeks in Spring Training with a respiratory virus.
Despite their delayed start, each displayed promise in Triple-A Columbus rehab starts.
Curry dazzled with seven strikeouts over 2 2/3 innings, allowing just one hit, while Lively mirrored the performance, yielding one hit with three strikeouts over three innings.
However, akin to Beede, neither is fully primed for starting duties. Depending on the timing of the fifth starter’s call-up, the source may need to employ tandem starts until they regain full strength.
What About Shane Bieber’s Future?
This situation presents a formidable challenge for any pitcher, particularly Bieber, who finds himself in his final year with the source.
His stellar start to the season hinted at a potential trade candidacy by July.Had he sustained his dominance, Bieber could have spearheaded Cleveland’s rotation towards another thrilling playoff push, akin to their 2022 campaign. Moreover, he aimed to bolster his resume as he approached free agency.
However, instead of charting a course towards success, Bieber now confronts a daunting path back to the mound.
Perhaps this setback increases the likelihood of Bieber’s tenure extending beyond 2024 in Cleveland.
If other teams hesitate to pursue a pitcher recovering from Tommy John surgery, the source may secure Bieber’s services at a more affordable rate than initially anticipated.
Alternatively, this chapter in Bieber’s career could conclude with a subdued finale in Cleveland. Yet, teams poised on the brink of contention might still vie for his talents, regardless of his injury history.
For now, all Bieber can do is bide his time and await the unfolding of his future.
