Pitcher Shane Bieber #57 of the Cleveland Guardians
Cleveland Guardians’ standout pitcher Shane Bieber underwent Tommy John surgery on Friday, commencing a lengthy rehabilitation process.
The recipient of the 2020 Cy Young Award showcased impressive form with two solid starts at the beginning of this season. However, escalating discomfort in his elbow necessitated surgical intervention, ruling Bieber out for the remainder of 2024.
The Guardians disclosed that Dr. Keith Meister, the team physician for the Texas Rangers, conducted the operation in Texas and expressed satisfaction with the reconstruction of Bieber’s ulnar collateral ligament. Bieber is slated to attend his post-operative appointment at the team’s training facility in Goodyear, Arizona, on Saturday.
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Facing this setback, the 28-year-old Bieber became visibly emotional while addressing his predicament earlier this week. Limited to only 21 starts last season due to elbow issues, Bieber devoted significant efforts to his rehabilitation during the offseason, expressing a renewed passion for pitching.
Despite battling elbow pain, Bieber delivered stellar performances, logging 12 scoreless innings with 20 strikeouts in outings against Oakland and Seattle.
Having completed his final year under club control, Bieber’s future with Cleveland remains uncertain, compounded by his impending free agency.
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Reflecting on his situation, Bieber emphasized the importance of processing emotions and maintaining a forward-looking perspective. While acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding his contract status, Bieber remains resolute in confronting the challenges ahead.
Throughout his tenure with Cleveland, Bieber has amassed an impressive record, boasting a 62-32 record with a 3.22 ERA in 134 starts. Notably, he led the majors in wins, ERA, and strikeouts during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
Since his debut in 2018, Bieber has made significant contributions to the team, earning recognition as the MVP of the All-Star Game in 2019. In January, he avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract worth $13.125 million.
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