Shane Bieber’s latest comeback has Toronto Blue Jays fans rechecking his ceiling as he returns to competitiveness after Tommy John surgery. The Cy Young winner was on the mound Friday, part of a six-man rotation the Jays have adopted down the stretch, a plan that will influence both team use and fantasy value in the final five weeks of the season.
In his first big-league appearance since his rehab, Bieber peaked at 92.7 mph with his fastball—the highest single-start velocity he’s reached since August 2022. He racked up nine strikeouts against the Miami Marlins and produced 15 swings-and-misses, with seven coming on his slider and four on his changeup. While this performance is encouraging, experts caution that returning pitchers often rebuild their peak form gradually after TJ surgery. Velocity can return first, followed by command, but Bieber’s early command in his 2025 big-league debut and the strong results logged during a six-start minor-league rehab stint (aside from one May start with elbow soreness) provide reason for optimism, including a combined 2.03 ERA and a 32.7% strikeout rate across those rehab outings.
Fantasy implications are nuanced. The Jays’ six-man rotation helps manage Bieber’s workload but slightly dents fantasy expectations for immediate volume. Bieber is currently rostered in roughly 56% of ESPN leagues, suggesting some fantasy managers may be reluctant to chase the early returns in a shortened season. Still, given his pedigree, age, and velocity trend, he could settle into a regular starter pattern over these final five weeks, prioritizing innings and strikeouts as the Jays aim for a playoff push.
Other players worth watching for deeper fantasy rosters
– Sam Basallo, C/1B, Orioles (high on the list): Basallo remains widely available in ESPN leagues and has performed well enough to be a notable 1B/C option for deeper formats.
– Carson Williams, SS, Rays: Williams has drawn attention after strong showings in his early MLB call-ups. He showed flashes in his weekend performances and in his brief debut stretch, with a 3-for-7 showing, including a homer and a steal. The Rays will manage his playing time to protect Rookie of the Year eligibility, but his multi-positional eligibility adds value in deeper leagues.
– Brett Baty, 3B/2B, Mets: Baty has emerged as an everyday contributor since the All-Star break, hitting .283/.350/.500 with six homers in 28 games. His ability to qualify at two infield spots and his solid contact metrics—22.9% strikeout rate, plus strong barrel and hard-hit rates—make him a viable depth option in deeper mixed leagues.
– Kyle Teel, C, White Sox: Teel has produced a strong rookie run since the All-Star break, batting .322/.378/.500 with four homers and 15 RBI in 26 games. While his power and patience aren’t elite, Teel’s bat-to-ball skills and everyday role as a catcher/DH give him value in deeper formats.
– Jeremiah Jackson, SS/3B/OF, Orioles: Recalled in July, Jackson has found opportunities across multiple positions and has delivered several multi-hit performances in his early MLB stint. His multi-position eligibility makes him a flexible depth option for deeper rosters.
– Kyle Bradish, SP, Orioles: Bradish is on the mend from Tommy John surgery and could return soon. Although his minor-league numbers haven’t sparkled, his velocity has historically sat in the mid-90s, keeping him on the radar for deeper leagues as a speculative pickup.
– Parker Messick, SP, Guardians: Messick impressed in his debut showing control and a strong changeup. He’s likely to receive more opportunities down the stretch in a Guardians rotation that’s loaded with young arms, making him a practical target for deeper leagues in need of upside starts.
Outlook and takeaways
– Bieber’s velocity and strikeout upside are encouraging, but fantasy managers should temper expectations until he settles into a predictable workload and command pattern. The six-man rotation will cap his weekly innings, though his history suggests he can still be a reliable strikeout source when active.
– The added depth in the Jays’ rotation could help them manage playoff pitching plans, but it also means high-volume starts for Bieber may be limited in the immediate term. Managers who own Bieber should plan for modest inning totals but expect efficient, high-quality outings that could translate into favorable per-start results.
– For those building deeper league rosters, the listed passable adds—Basallo, Williams, Baty, Teel, Jackson, Bradish, and Messick—offer a mix of upside, positional flexibility, and emerging roles that can help fill gaps in the back half of the season.
Overall, Bieber’s return signals a positive step in his comeback narrative, with potential for continued improvement as he regains full command and confidence. The coming weeks will reveal how quickly he can return to peak form and how the Jays’ rotation strategy translates to fantasy gains.