Toronto Blue Jays fans will soon have a chance to take a first look at one of their biggest trade deadline acquisitions.
Shane Bieber will take the mound as soon as Sunday as he gears up for a rehab outing with triple-A Buffalo, Blue Jays manager John Schneider told reporters on Friday, adding that the recent acquisition flew into Toronto earlier that day to discuss options with his new team.
"Conversation was quick, he got here around 3, just a quick 'Hi, nice to meet you, respect what you've done in the game so far, excited to have you.' He's excited to be here," Schneider said. "He's gonna throw off the mound today and I think stay on track for his next rehab outing on Sunday.
"I think whenever you get a chance to add a guy with his track record and I think potential to help us moving forward, it's really, really exciting. He's a game-changer on the mound, for sure."
Later on Friday, following his bullpen session at Rogers Centre with the Blue Jays, Bieber confirmed that he would be making the rehab start on Sunday with Buffalo.
"I feel great. Just threw a light bullpen and gonna progress to Sunday, hopefully, in Buffalo, I think that's the plan. After that, we're just gonna try and take it one start at a time," Bieber said. "The medical staff in Cleveland kind of adopted that mentality, so I think these guys have as well. I know that they're gonna take great care of me. Like I said, I feel great, just trying to take it one day, one start at a time."
Bieber added that he'll be targeting five innings or approximately 70-75 pitches in his next rehab start.
The Blue Jays landed Bieber early Thursday, sending double-A pitching prospect Khal Stephen to the Cleveland Guardians in the swap.
The 30-year-old hasn't made an MLB start in nearly one-and-a-half years, as he underwent Tommy John surgery after only making two starts to open the 2024 season.
However, after suffering a brief setback — experiencing elbow soreness after his first rehab start on May 31 — Bieber has been progressing well.
He has made three rehab starts since, tallying a 1.59 ERA with 21 strikeouts over 11.1 innings split between the rookie, high-A and double-A levels.
Schneider also provided updates to pitcher Alek Manoah and catcher Alejandro Kirk, both of whom have taken steps in their returns from injury.
Manoah, 27, also hasn't seen the field since 2024 after undergoing UCL reconstruction last season. He made five starts and pitched to a 3.70 ERA with 26 strikeouts in 24.1 innings before going down.
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As he progresses back from injury, he threw a four-inning simulated game at the Blue Jays' Florida complex recently, tossing 69 pitches, and is likely to make his next outing in double- or triple-A.
He pitched two innings in single-A on July 21, allowing one run on three hits with two strikeouts. His 30-day rehab clock began with that outing, meaning he could return to the MLB club in mid-to-late August.
Kirk, meanwhile, is set to make his first rehab start at triple-A later on Friday night after suffering a concussion last week and being placed on the seven-day injured list.
According to Schneider, a return to the majors is on the table for Sunday.
The all-star catcher is one of the Blue Jays' most important offensive and defensive pieces, hitting .304 with a .775 OPS and seven home runs this season while serving as the team's primary backstop.
