CLEVELAND (AP) — Pitcher Shane Bieber is headed to the AL East-leading Toronto Blue Jays in a deal with the rebuilding Cleveland Guardians, who also dealt right-hander Paul Sewald in the division to the AL Central-leading Detroit Tigers on Thursday.

However, All-Star outfielder Steven Kwan remains in Cleveland despite attracting a lot of interest.

The Guardians are 54-54 going into this weekend’s series against Minnesota and in second place in the AL Central, nine games behind Detroit. They are three games out of the final wild-card spot, but their moves could signal this has become a spiraling season.

Cleveland closer Emmanuel Clase, a three-time All-Star, was placed on non-disciplinary paid leave as part of a Major League Baseball investigation into sports betting on Monday.

Luis Ort

See Full Page