CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cleveland Guardians are igniting anticipation with the imminent return of pitcher Shane Bieber, following a successful rehab start over the weekend in Arizona. Bieber plans to continue his recovery journey east, making a stop in Akron for a bullpen session this week before starting for the RubberDucks on Thursday, marking a pivotal milestone as he rebounds from elbow reconstructive surgery.
Not only is the excitement around Bieber’s return palpable, but fans are also eager to see what an evolved version of the 2020 Cy Young Award winner might look like on the mound. Insights from Guardians executive Chris Antonetti reveal that Bieber’s initial rehab outing allowed him to display his familiar velocity, reaching between 92 to 94 mph. However, it’s the potential enhancement of his pitch repertoire that has observers intrigued. Bieber has been reportedly working on modifying the shape and effectiveness of his pitches during his recovery, including improvements to his changeup, suggesting he might return not just healthy, but as a more formidable opponent.
“It’s not just about getting back to health; he’s had a chance to refine some of his pitches,” Joe Noga shared on the Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast. Noga expressed cautious optimism about the impact of Bieber’s return on the Guardians’ rotation and the locker room dynamic.
The podcast also noted a parallel between Bieber’s recovery process and that of Matthew Boyd, who previously underwent a similar rehabilitation with Cleveland before finding success with the Chicago Cubs. This adds an exciting storyline as there’s a possibility that Bieber could face Boyd when the Guardians visit Chicago in early July. The thought of these two rejuvenated pitchers squaring off only adds to the excitement surrounding Bieber’s comeback.
As fans continue to observe Bieber’s progress in Akron, they should not only look for signs of his physical recovery but also for the refined pitches that might come into play when he returns to the Guardians. The upcoming games promise to be instrumental in determining how his enhanced arsenal integrates back into the team’s strategy.
In related news, the Guardians recently celebrated some noteworthy performances from other players, including a standout game by Gavin Williams, highlighting the team’s robust momentum as they prepare for the next phase of the season. With the combination of a healthy Bieber and a strong lineup, the Guardians are set to make a competitive push as they head into the summer months.
All eyes will be on Bieber as fans hope for a successful return, potentially rejuvenating the Guardians’ pitching staff. For more insights and updates, be sure to tune into the full Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast episode featuring Joe Noga and Paul Hoynes.