Shane Bieber’s Return Shapes a Big Week for Toronto and the Blue Jays
After more than 16 months away from a big-league mound, Shane Bieber is back. The former Cy Young winner, who underwent Tommy John surgery, will make his return for the Toronto Blue Jays tonight, facing the Miami Marlins. Bieber hadn’t pitched in the majors since April 2, 2024, when he left a start in Seattle after two innings. His rehab has gone smoothly: in seven starts across his rehabilitation, he’s gone 1-1 with a 1.86 ERA, recording 37 strikeouts and just three walks over 29 innings.
Toronto acquired Bieber in a trade with Cleveland in a move aimed at giving the rotation a jolt as the Jays push toward October. The reassembled group already features Kevin Gausman, and the club has leaned on Kirby-maximizing depth in recent weeks. Bieber’s return could be a game changer for a rotation that needs to shoulder more of the workload as the Jays seek to lock down the AL East and make a deeper playoff push.
The news comes as a reminder that Bieber’s return isn’t just about one pitcher rejoining a staff; it’s about reintroducing the confidence and ace-level presence that helped Toronto win 74 games before this stretch run. If Bieber can be even close to his pre-surgery form, the Blue Jays will have a high-end starter in a rotation that already has notable arms ready to carry them through the stretch.
Homecomings Reimagined: Willy Adames Returns to Milwaukee (In a Giants Uniform)
Willy Adames’ first year away from Milwaukee hasn’t gone as smoothly as his best seasons there, but a familiar name returns tonight in a different uniform. Adames, who spent seven years with the Brewers and helped them win the NL Central, is back in the spotlight—this time with the San Francisco Giants. He signed a seven-year contract worth $182 million with San Francisco last offseason, and he’ll visit Milwaukee as a member of the Giants.
Milwaukee, meanwhile, continues to productively cruise toward the postseason with an 80-48 record and a seven-game lead in the NL Central. Adames’ move is a reminder of the fluidity of rosters in today’s game and of the personal narratives that color a season. For his part, Adames has been candid about appreciating the Brewers’ culture and the way they play, while acknowledging that a new challenge with the Giants presents an opportunity to stretch his game further. Offensively this year, he’s posted a .222/.310/.397 line with a .707 OPS for San Francisco, a mark that could improve as he settles into his new surroundings.
The Brewers have adapted well to life without Adames, with Joey Ortiz handling a role at shortstop and posting the lineup’s lowest OPS (.612) as he works through a hamstring issue, among other notes. The Adames reunion figures to add an extra layer of intrigue to an already heated matchup between former teammates and a team chasing a championship this season.
Notes from the Beat: Yankees-Red Sox, Story, Rice, Bellinger, and More
– Yankees notes: The Yankees’ defense has been a talking point in late-night broadcasts, with the club posting a recent stretch marked by errors in big games. While some metrics show the team as middle-of-the-pack or slightly improved defensively, alarming errors in critical games continue to surface as New York navigates a challenging schedule.
– Trevor Story’s resurgence: Trevor Story has rebounded well since June, batting .296 with 12 homers and a .847 OPS in that span. On the season, Story has stolen 22 bases in 22 attempts, providing a steadying presence at short and a veteran perspective for younger teammates in Boston’s clubhouse.
– Ben Rice’s breakout: Hitting coach James Rowson has singled out Ben Rice for his advanced approach and preparation. Rice is tearing the cover off the ball when it comes to exit velocity and expected slugging, underscoring the importance of his development and the potential for sustained big-league success.
– Cody Bellinger’s future: Bellinger is widely expected to decline his $25 million option, returning to free agency. He’ll be in a strong position to sign with the benefit of his defensive versatility and a track record of productive seasons, particularly if the offensive environment around him normalizes after a year in a more pitcher-friendly setting.
– Roman Anthony at Yankee Stadium: The Red Sox outfielder made a comfort-filled debut series at Yankee Stadium, drawing a walk, delivering a game-tying RBI single, and homering in a late-inning push, signaling that he’s handling the pressure of a high-profile audience with poise.
Baseball Card of the Week: 2021 Panini Diamond Kings Elegance Trea Turner (99/99)
This week’s featured card is a special edition 99/99 print of Trea Turner. The appeal is twofold: the rarity factor adds collectability, and the design—clean and elegant—complements Turner’s profile as a dynamic, multi-position contributor. The card number being E-6 adds a playful nod to Turner’s long career and the evolving hobby landscape.
Quick Takes and Week in Review
– Ground-level moves: Carson Fulmer’s ceremonial first pitch duties suggest a broader openness to surprising roles for players across organizations. In parallel, veteran closer Craig Kimbrel is joining the Astros, adding a veteran arm to a bullpen that has needed depth.
– Braves update: Atlanta placed third baseman Austin Riley on season-ending sports hernia surgery, and the club claimed Cal Quantrill off waivers from the Marlins to slot into the starting rotation.
– Fan moments: A light-hearted note from Yankee Stadium—fans lined up for a George Costanza bobblehead—shows that baseball culture remains rich with nostalgia and fun even as teams chase upgrades on the field.
What to Watch Next
– Bieber’s Blue Jays impact: The immediate question is how quickly Bieber can regain command and mechanics after a long rehab. If he can approach his pre-surgery velocity and control, Toronto’s rotation could take a major step forward in the crucial closing weeks of the season.
– Adames’ Giants arc: Watching Adames adapt to a new clubhouse and environment will be telling. His experience and leadership could help San Francisco squeeze more out of a lineup that has flashes of power and versatility.
– Endurance of rotation depth: With marquee moves and reintroductions, the rest of the season will test how well teams balance star returns with healthy innings across the rotation and bullpen.
Summary and outlook
This period marks a season of meaningful returns and strategic shifts. Shane Bieber’s comeback for the Blue Jays injects a high-end ace into a rotation already focused on playoff contention, while Willy Adames’ re-entry into Milwaukee’s orbit—though now with the Giants—highlights the ongoing dynamic between legacy success and fresh opportunities. Across the league, teams are balancing veteran depth, young talent, and the unpredictable ebbs and flows of the pennant race. For fans, it’s a reminder that baseball’s most compelling stories—comebacks, reunions, and the emergence of new stars—unfold not just on the field, but in the evolving narratives that surround every team each week.