The Cleveland Guardians have emerged as one of the most consistent teams in the American League. The Guardians have made the playoffs in six of the last nine years, and manager Stephen Vogt has a club that hopes to return to the postseason in 2025. The Guardians’ lineup includes Jose Ramirez, one of baseball’s most productive batters, as well as Steven Kwan and veteran Carlos Santana. However, the pitching staff’s success will most certainly be critical over the course of the 162-game season.
In the early days of spring training, Vogt and Guardians fans received hopeful news about Shane Bieber. The 29-year-old right-hander was limited to 12.0 innings last season, but he had a strong bullpen session before the Guardians’ spring training begins.
There is no assurance that Bieber will be able to return early in the 2025 season and join the Cleveland pitching rotation. Bieber had Tommy John surgery in April, and while he still has a lot of work to do, he is clearly making progress. There is hope that he will return to the Guardians this season and take a slot in the team’s pitching rotation.
The Guardians are hoping for no bad effects from Saturday’s bullpen session and that the pitcher will be able to resume throwing soon. The organization had issued a statement earlier in the week regarding Bieber’s rehabilitation efforts. “Shane has increased his throwing frequency to five days per week and extended his throwing distance to 120 feet.
“Shane will initiate his mound progression in mid-February.”
Guardians hoping for a full recovery Bieber
If Bieber recovers completely early in the season, the Guardians will have an ace on the mound. Bieber earned the Cy Young Award during the Covid-affected 2020 season and has been a two-time All-Star. He holds a Gold Glove and was named Most Valuable Player at the All-Star Game.
Bieber had his greatest season in 2020, going 8-1 with a 1.63 ERA. He struck out 122 opponents over 77.1 innings. In 2019, he went 15-8 with a 3.28 ERA and threw 214.1 innings, a career high. He struck out 259 batters over 213.1 innings that season.
Tanner Bibee, Ben Lively, Gavin Williams, and Luis Ortiz are expected to make up the Guardians’ starting rotation. Triston McKenzie should also receive some of the team’s initial duties. However, if Bieber continues to improve and is healthy enough to return to active duty, he will undoubtedly be in Vogt’s starting lineup.
