Bieber Scratched from Rehab Start Due to Ongoing Soreness

Cleveland Guardians pitcher Shane Bieber, a staple of the team’s rotation, has hit a temporary snag in his recovery from Tommy John surgery. After his first Minor League rehab start—where he tossed 2 ⅓ scoreless innings—he felt soreness in his surgically repaired elbow.

The team shut Bieber down from throwing for at least a week. This just shows how unpredictable recovery from this kind of surgery can be.

Shane Bieber’s Rehab Journey Hits a Bump

Since his Tommy John surgery in April 2024, Shane Bieber has been grinding toward a Major League return. He started with a 2 ⅓-inning outing in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League and struck out five batters—honestly, he looked sharp.

He planned to keep his comeback rolling with Double-A Akron, aiming for three innings and about 50 pitches. But after a bullpen session on Tuesday, that familiar soreness showed up in his right elbow, and the Guardians sidelined him again.

The Natural Challenges of Tommy John Rehab

Bieber’s manager, Stephen Vogt, called this setback a normal part of Tommy John recovery. These surgeries are almost routine for pitchers now, but the rehab is tough and full of little bumps.

Soreness and pauses like this pop up all the time during rehab. Vogt made it clear the team expected some hiccups along the way.

This surgery repairs the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in the elbow—a ligament pitchers depend on for torque and velocity. Recovery usually takes anywhere from 12 to 18 months.

What’s Next for Shane Bieber?

Right now, Bieber won’t throw for a week. During this break, team doctors and Dr. Keith Meister—the surgeon who operated on him—will check him out again.

The Guardians decided on this week-long pause to protect his elbow. They want to make sure nothing gets worse as he works toward a return.

A Look Ahead: Rehabilitation in Cleveland

Bieber will shift his rehab to the Cleveland area and work with the organization’s affiliates. This keeps him close to the Guardians’ medical staff and team facilities.

It’s a setback, sure, but considering how well he pitched in that first outing, there’s still reason to feel good about his long-term outlook.

The Impact on the Cleveland Guardians

Bieber’s continued absence puts a strain on the Guardians’ pitching depth. He’s a former Cy Young winner and has anchored Cleveland’s rotation in recent years.

The team’s leaned on some emerging arms, but Bieber’s return would give them a real boost.

Balancing Health and Competitiveness

The Guardians have to juggle their competitive goals with the reality of Bieber’s rehab. Pushing a pitcher too fast after surgery is almost always a bad idea—it leads to more injuries and setbacks.

From what we’re seeing, Cleveland’s leadership is making the right call by putting Bieber’s health first. No sense rushing him back before he’s truly ready.

Key Takeaways From Bieber’s Setback

Bieber’s situation highlights a few things for Cleveland fans and anyone interested in the realities of Tommy John surgery recovery.

• Soreness is common: Pitchers often deal with some aches and pains after surgery, and these are usually just small bumps in a long rehab process.
• Caution is critical: When Bieber felt discomfort, the Guardians and Dr. Meister didn’t wait around. They told him to shut it down right away. Acting fast can head off bigger problems down the line.
• Progression matters: The team started Bieber in Rookie ball and gradually moved him toward Double-A rehab. That slow build is key for regaining arm strength.

Guardians fans want Bieber back in the rotation, but honestly, patience is still the best approach here.

Right now, everyone’s watching for Bieber’s next step. The Guardians plan to take things slow, making sure he’s truly ready before he returns to the mound. Maybe this little setback is just another part of his journey back to facing big league hitters.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Bieber (soreness) scratched from scheduled rehab start