CLEVELAND, Ohio — Help could be on the way for the Guardians, but not on the offensive side of the baseball.
Shane Bieber threw two innings of live batting practice on Saturday afternoon at Progressive Field and things went well.
Bieber, recovering from 2024 Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, faced hitters from Class AA Akron.
“I thought he looked incredible,” said manager Stephen Vogt. “His stuff was really good. Just him feeling healthy is what matters, but the stuff was really good as well.”
Bieber told reporters he needs at least one more BP session before he goes on a second rehab assignment. The first rehab assignment ended in early May when he developed soreness in his surgically repaired elbow after throwing a rehab game for the Guardians’ Arizona Complex team in Goodyear.
He was shut down for several days and has been retracing his steps at an accelerated pace.
“You could tell he’s ready to get back out,” said Vogt. “We’ll determine the next steps over the next few days when we see how he feels. But that was really encouraging.”
Bieber, the former Cy Young winner, drew a crowd. The home dugout was crowded with Vogt, coaches and front office personnel.
The setback in May probably means Bieber won’t be ready to join the rotation until late August or early September. By then the Guardians should know that fate of right-hander Luis Ortiz, who is being investigated by MLB for gambling activities. If Ortiz isn’t back by then, Bieber could take his spot.
After last season Bieber was a free agent. He returned to Cleveland, signing a one year deal worth $10 million with a player option worth $16 million, including a $4 million buyout.
While the rotation has done a solid job, and the bullpen has improved, the offense continues to struggle. The Guardians entered Saturday’s game having lost eight straight games, including being held scoreless in four of those games.
Utility man Juan Brito, one of several hitters at Class AAA Columbus who are having good seasons, offered a possible solution. but he left Friday’s game with a hamstring injury.
Meanwhile, shortstop Gabriel Arias, on the injured list with a sprained right ankle, worked out on the field Saturday afternoon for the first time since his injury. But he still has time to serve on the IL before he’s ready to play again.
On the positive side, Travis Bazzana began playing rehab games for the Arizona Complex team in Goodyear on Saturday. Bazzana, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft, has been sidelined with a right oblique injury since mid-May.
The Guardians entered Saturday’s game tied for 27th among 30 MLB teams in runs following the month of June when they finished last in the AL with 72 runs.
Finally
One of the reasons the Guardians have had trouble scoring runs is that they’ve hit too many homers with no one on bases. Of the Guards’ 85 homers this season, 58 or 68% have come with the bases empty. It’s the highest percentage in the big leagues.
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