Jun 19, 2026, 1:23 PM ET

The Toronto Blue Jays are waiting until right-hander Shane Bieber (elbow) throws a side session on Saturday before announcing anything officially, but there is a "strong possibility" that he will be reinstated from the 60-day injured list to start on Monday against the Houston Astros, according to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. "All signs point towards he'll be ready to go," manager John Schneider said. Bieber said he's happy with how he felt after his last minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, when he reached 80 pitches. The 31-year-old former American League Cy Young winner has yet to pitch in the big leagues in 2026 while recovering from right-elbow inflammation. In his five rehab starts, his overall numbers weren't exactly great, posting a 6.88 ERA with 14 strikeouts and five walks in 17 innings pitched, but stuff-wise, he was pleased. The two-time All-Star returned from Tommy John surgery in 2025 in his first year in Toronto to go 4-2 with a 3.57 ERA (4.47 FIP) and 1.02 WHIP with 37 strikeouts and seven walks in 40 1/3 innings in just seven regular-season starts. Bieber is no longer a fantasy ace, but he should at least be worth a roster spot as rotation depth in deep-mixed leagues, and his matchup for his first start of the season on Monday against Houston is a favorable one.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Sportsnet - Arden Zwelling