MIAMI (AP) — Shane Bieber struck out nine over six innings of one-run ball in his Toronto debut and return from a 16-month absence as the Blue Jays beat the Miami Marlins 5-2 on Friday night.

Daulton Varsho homered, doubled and drove in three runs, while Ty France had two hits and two RBIs for the AL East-leading Blue Jays.

Bieber (1-0) allowed two hits and hit a batter in his 87-pitch outing. He retired 12 straight after allowing Javier Sanoja’s homer in the second inning.

It was Bieber’s first appearance since April 2, 2024, when he experienced elbow discomfort and subsequently underwent Tommy John surgery.

The Blue Jays acquired the 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner from the Cleveland Guardians on July 31. Bieber had four rehab outings with the Guardians before the trade and three since

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