Right-handed pitcher Shane Bieber opted into his $16 million player option with the Toronto Blue Jays for the 2026 season, choosing to forgo free agency, a source told ESPN's Jeff Passan.

The 2020 American League Cy Young Award winner signed a two-year, $26 million deal with the Cleveland Guardians last winter while he was still rehabbing from elbow surgery. As he was set to return to the big league team following four minor league rehab starts, Cleveland dealt him to Toronto at the trade deadline for prospect right-hander Khal Stephen . Stephen was later ranked by ESPN as the 60th-best prospect in baseball.

Bieber made seven starts in the 2025 regular season for Toronto, posting a 3.57 ERA. He then made five postseason appearances, including winning Game 4 of the World Series ag

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