{"id":116814,"date":"2025-08-03T23:48:17","date_gmt":"2025-08-03T23:48:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/116814\/"},"modified":"2025-08-03T23:48:17","modified_gmt":"2025-08-03T23:48:17","slug":"bieber-excited-to-join-jays-return-to-mound","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/116814\/","title":{"rendered":"Bieber excited to join Jays, return to mound"},"content":{"rendered":"

TORONTO \u2013 Shane Bieber hopes to be a popular pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays down the stretch, but realizes that in his new home, he\u2019ll be the second most famous Bieber after Canadian pop icon Justin Bieber.<\/p>\n

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The Blue Jays\u2019 Bieber once wore a jersey with \u201cNot Justin\u201d on the back during a players\u2019 weekend in 2019, which prompted Canada\u2019s Bieber to don a \u201cNot Shane Bieber\u201d shirt a few weeks later.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it turns out I\u2019m probably the second most famous Bieber in most cities,\u201d said the 30-year-old righty who arrived in Toronto on Friday to meet manager John Schneider, his new teammates, coaches and support staff.<\/p>\n

The Blue Jays acquired Bieber from the Cleveland Guardians before Thursday\u2019s trade deadline in exchange for right-handed pitching prospect Khal Stephen.<\/p>\n

Bieber made the 4 1\/2-hour drive from Cleveland, where he was put through the ringer by customs officials at the border.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThey shook me down,\u201d Bieber said with a smile. \u201cIt was nothing too crazy. Once I got there, we got out of the car and explained the situation. I got my papers and made my way.\u201d<\/p>\n

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When will Bieber, who underwent Tommy John surgery on April 12, 2024, make his way to the mound for the Toronto Blue Jays?<\/p>\n

Last Tuesday, he made his fourth rehab start, this time for double-A Akron with a four-inning, 59-pitch outing, giving up three hits, including a homer.<\/p>\n

He is slated to pitch Sunday for triple-A Buffalo and hopes to go five innings and 70 to 75 pitches. After his next outing, he and the Blue Jays will determine what\u2019s next.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe medical staff in Cleveland adopted (a one-game-at-a-time) mentality, and I think these guys have as well, and I know that they\u2019re gonna take great care of me,\u201d Bieber said. \u201cLike I said, I feel great.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Bieber threw a light bullpen session for Toronto pitching coach Pete Walker before Friday\u2019s series opener against the Kansas City Royals.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m most pleased with not thinking about my health, and that says a lot about how far I\u2019ve come post-surgery, where my body\u2019s at, where my arm\u2019s at,\u201d Bieber said. \u201cI\u2019m focused on ramping up to compete in the big leagues, and that\u2019s a fun place to be. That\u2019s what I\u2019ve missed.\u201d<\/p>\n

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