Shane Bieber talks excitement in joining Blue Jays, 'can't wait to start', feels invigorated and Beiber Fever
Photo credit: https://www.ctvnews.ca
Toronto Blue Jays new starting pitcher Shane Bieber had his first media blitz in Toronto on Friday, and couldn't be more excited to answer all their questions, to which there were many.
The Blue Jays acquired Bieber from the Cleveland Guardians before Thursday's trade deadline in exchange for right-handed pitching prospect Khal Stephen.
Newest Toronto Blue Jays starter Shane Bieber talks about how excited he is to join his new team, taking a boat from Cleveland, and now being the second most famous Bieber in Canada. #BieberFever #BlueJays 🍁
Bieber made the 4 1/2-hour drive from Cleveland, where he was put through the ringer by customs officials at the border.
«They shook me down,» Bieber said with a smile. «It was nothing too crazy. Once I got there, we got out of the car and explained the situation. I got my papers and made my way.»
Blue Jays starter Shane Bieber talks about where he is at right now on his road to recovery
When will Bieber, who underwent Tommy John surgery on April 12, 2024, make his way to the mound for the Blue Jays?
He is slated to pitch Sunday for triple-A Buffalo and hopes to go five innings and 70 to 75 pitches. After his next outing, he and the Blue Jays will determine what's next.
Bieber threw a light bullpen session for Toronto pitching coach Pete Walker before Friday's series opener against the Kansas City Royals.
«I'm most pleased with not thinking about my health, and that says a lot about how far I've come post-surgery, where my body's at, where my arm's at,» Bieber said. «I'm focused on ramping up to compete in the big leagues, and that's a fun place to be. That's what I've missed.»
Bieber admitted that leaving the only pro organization he's known, tugged at the heartstrings. A fourth-round pick (122nd overall) by the Guardians in 2016, Bieber started 134 games and pitched 843 innings, earning that 2022 Cy Young Award and a pair of all-Star game appearances.
«My initial reaction was I was excited,» he said of being traded to the Blue Jays. «I wasn't totally anticipating it, but I wasn't shocked.»
But the 30-year-old Orange, Ca. native said he was made to immediately feel welcome inside and outside of the clubhouse, a point of pride among the Jays player relations people.
Physically, Bieber is also energized to be on the competing side of recovery from Tommy John and in a place where most days recovery from an outing feels better than the previous go.
Bieber did his homework as to what to expect after Tommy John surgery.
He's bent the ear of former teammates Matt Boyd and Alex Cobb, who both made strong recoveries from Tommy John surgery.
«Now I just need to continue to build volume and get ready so that when I do get out on that mound, I have no restrictions and I can go out there and compete,» Bieber said. «That's what it's all about. That's what you play for.
«I'm very close to being big league ready so I'm definitely feeling excited and fresh.»
How the Blue Jays fit Bieber into the starting rotation when he's ready remains to be seen.
The newcomer, however, is open to a six-pitcher rotation if Schneider and Walker decide to ease Bieber back and give the veteran staff some rest.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 2 | 208 ANSWERS Shane Bieber talks excitement in joining Blue Jays, 'can't wait to start', feels invigorated and Beiber Fever Are you excited to see Shane Bieber in the Blue Jays starting rotation? | ||
| Yes | 197 | 94.7 % |
| No | 11 | 5.3 % |
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