March 4, 2025
Cleveland Guardians right-hander
Shane Bieber (elbow), who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, threw his fifth bullpen session of camp on Tuesday and has progressed to throwing five days a week in addition to extending his throwing distance out to 135 feet. Bieber is making good progress and is on schedule in his recovery from TJ surgery, but he's still not expected to return to Cleveland's starting rotation until around midseason, barring any setbacks. Because the 29-year-old could miss half of the season, he'll be a complete wild card in fantasy and could struggle to regain his pinpoint control and command upon his return. Bieber looked good in two starts last year before being shut down, but before that, his velocity and strikeouts were trending in the wrong direction for fantasy managers. He's not in RotoBaller's top-100 starting pitcher rankings in 2025.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
February 14, 2025
Cleveland Guardians right-hander
Shane Bieber (elbow) continues to recover from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in April of last year at the team's spring training complex in Arizona. He has been able to progress his throwing to five days per week and his throwing distance out to 120 feet. Bieber will initiate his mound progression in mid-February. Because of the timing of the 29-year-old's surgery, he's not expected to be able to rejoin Cleveland's starting rotation in 2025 until around midseason. He was also dealing with elbow concerns in 2023, so hopefully he'll be able to put his arm issues behind him and be productive for the Cleveland rotation in the second half of the year. But the fact that Bieber will miss at least half the season puts him outside the top-100 fantasy starting pitchers this spring. Even before his injury, Bieber's velocity and strikeout numbers were trending in the wrong direction.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: GuardsInsider
February 4, 2025
According to Mandy Bell of MLB.com, Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher
Shane Bieber (elbow) is not expected to rejoin the starting rotation until midway through the season. Bieber underwent Tommy John surgery last April after making just two starts. During this short stint, the 29-year-old struck out 20 batters in 20 innings and did not allow a run. Earlier in December, it was reported that Bieber began throwing from 90 feet. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring his status during the first half of the season. While sidelined,
Tanner Bibee will operate as the ace of the staff, as he did through almost all of the 2024 campaign. In addition, with Bieber sidelined,
Luis L. Ortiz,
Triston McKenzie, and
Slade Cecconi will compete for the final spot in the rotation.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Mandy Bell
December 11, 2024
According to Tom Withers of the Associated Press, Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher
Shane Bieber (elbow) is throwing from 90 feet three times per week. Withers noted that Bieber expressed that he is confident but still has "a long way to go." Bieber underwent Tommy John surgery last April and was only able to make two starts last season. Across these 12 frames, the former Cy Young winner held a perfect 0.00 ERA with a stellar 0.92 WHIP. During the 2023 campaign, the right-hander posted a 3.80 ERA and 1.23 WHIP. While this is a great sign to see him progress in his throwing program, fantasy managers should not expect him to return to the major league mound at least a few months into the 2025 campaign. However, if he continues to progress without facing any setbacks, he could be worth targeting in deeper formats as a high-upside stash candidate.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Tom Withers
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