Toronto Blue Jays' Shane Bieber to begin 2026 season on injured list
Photo credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Shane Bieber will be behind the other Toronto Blue Jays' starters when spring training begins.
During a Zoom call with reporters on Tuesday, Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider confirmed that outfielder Anthony Santander will require shoulder surgery and is projected to miss the first five to six months of the season.
In the same session, Schneider also revealed that Shane Bieber is unlikely to be ready for the start of the year.
The right-hander is dealing with arm fatigue and will take a more gradual approach to his build-up.
Schneider emphasized that surgery will not be necessary and that the club still expects Bieber to pitch early in the season.
“He’s here, he’s feeling good, he’s playing catch to 90 feet,” Schneider said. “We’re just being cautious by saying not at the beginning of the year. We’ll work through it with Shane week to week and see how he responds.”
Blue Jays plan for Shane Bieber is to open the season on the injured list.
An MRI conducted during the offseason showed no structural damage, only forearm fatigue, which prompted the Blue Jays to slow Bieber’s ramp-up heading into 2026.
Bieber returned from Tommy John surgery last August and played a key role in Toronto’s run to the World Series.
He later exercised his player option to remain with the club, a decision that was further bolstered by the team’s offseason additions of Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce.
The Blue Jays acquired Bieber from the Cleveland Guardians at the 2025 trade deadline in exchange for pitching prospect Khal Stephen.
He completed his rehab in Toronto before making his team debut on Aug. 22.
In seven regular-season starts, the 30-year-old logged 40.1 innings, striking out 37 batters with a 3.57 ERA.
In seven regular-season starts, the 30-year-old logged 40.1 innings, striking out 37 batters with a 3.57 ERA.
He was also a significant contributor in the postseason, starting in all three rounds and appearing out of the bullpen in Game 7 of the World Series.
Bieber finished the playoffs with a 3.86 ERA and 18 strikeouts across 18.2 innings.
“It’s a high-level pitcher coming off Tommy John who pitched more than expected and in some really high-stress situations,” Schneider said. “That’s why we’re being careful.”
With Bieber set to open the season behind schedule, Schneider noted that Eric Lauer will be stretched out as a starter.
He’ll compete for rotation innings alongside Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, and José Berrios.
Also read on Blue Jays Central :
Toronto Blue Jays' Anthony Santander out 5-6 months to start the 2026 season
Toronto Blue Jays' Anthony Santander out 5-6 months to start the 2026 season
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 10|198 ANSWERS Toronto Blue Jays' Shane Bieber to begin 2026 season on injured list Do you think Shane Bieber's forearm fatigue will continue to be an issue going forward? | ||
| Yes | 92 | 46.5 % |
| No | 53 | 26.8 % |
| Too early to tell | 53 | 26.8 % |
| List of polls | ||