Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Shane Bieber has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to an inflammation in his teres major muscle located under his right shoulder. This setback comes at a crucial time for the team as they are vying for a wild-card spot in the final stretch of the season.
The seasoned player experienced discomfort during a bullpen session on Sunday in New York, leading to an MRI revealing a moderate to mild injury in his teres major. Blue Jays manager John Schneider expressed disappointment over the situation, acknowledging the impact on both Bieber and the team.
Bieber, a former American League Cy Young Award winner, has a 5-2 record this season with a 4.37 earned-run average. His season was already affected by an earlier stint on the injured list due to elbow inflammation and forearm fatigue.
Schneider remains optimistic about Bieber’s return this season but refrained from providing a specific timeline. With Toronto just two games behind in the American League wild-card race, the loss of Bieber’s contributions is a significant blow at this critical juncture.
The team will need to navigate this challenge as they strive to secure a playoff spot amidst the remaining games of the season. Schneider acknowledged the unfortunate timing of Bieber’s injury but emphasized the team’s resilience in facing such hurdles throughout the year.