2024 looked like it was going to be Shane Bieber’s bounce-back year. He was utterly dominant in his first two starts in Cleveland.

Then the worst news a pitcher can hear occurred.

Tommy John.

Bieber spent the last 16 months rehabbing from Tommy John in Cleveland, but after a disappointing first half to the season, he was dealt to the Toronto Blue Jays for top-100 prospect Khal Stephen.

The Guardians had to make this deal. They acquired one of the fastest-rising pitching prospects in the minors for a player who’s missed most of the last two seasons. Not only that, Bieber had a player option on his contract, and if he played well, he most likely would have opted out to sign a long-term deal.

Friday was his first start back, and it looks like Cleveland would have been priced out of Bie

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