When Will Shane Bieber Return From The Injured List? Fantasy Baseball Injury Update

The Cleveland Guardians placed Shane Bieber on the 15-day injured list on July 15 due to inflammation in his elbow. The right-hander was having a disappointing season, accumulating a 5-6 record to go with a 3.77 ERA.  

Bieber is going down at the same time baseball fans are expecting the trade market to heat up. The pitcher was rumored to be on the block but the Guardians will now have to reassess their plans with the trade deadline approaching. 

Fantasy managers who have stuck by Bieber through this underwhelming season have some deliberating to do themselves. How serious is Bieber’s injury and when will we see him back? In this article, we will take a look at the news coming out of Cleveland and find an answer.

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Shane Bieber Injury Update

The Guardians announced last week that Bieber would miss his July 17 matchup against the Pirates due to pain in his pitching arm. Apparently, the discomfort that nixed that start had been nagging him for a while now. 

Fortunately, Bieber’s MRI came back clean and Guardians fans could breathe a sigh of relief after learning he will not require surgery. The righty will be shut down from throwing for the next two weeks, though, and then be examined by doctors on a weekly basis to determine the rehab process. In other words, don't expect him back when he is first eligible to return at the end of July. So far, there is no timetable for Bieber’s return.

Shane Bieber Fantasy Baseball Outlook

Bieber's velocity is down for the fourth consecutive season, which could be why we aren't seeing the same high-strikeout, low-ratio ace we have come to expect. Bieber is posting a career-low strikeout rate of 19.4% in 2023. Likewise, opposing batters are being more selective and making contact more frequently against Bieber than ever before, adding up to more hits and a WHIP that now sits a shade under 1.25. 

The earliest Bieber will return to action is in mid-August, with only six weeks left in the season. Also, that is only if he is cleared to begin a rehab assignment right away. If not, managers electing to hold him will have to wait for updates after Bieber’s weekly checkups and then wait out the rehab period itself, which would stretch into September.

Bieber is worthy of an IL spot if you have one available. Given his performance so far in 2023 and with no clear idea of when he will return, don’t count on him to be the piece that gives you the final push to the championship.

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