Guardians’ Shane Bieber Addresses Media After Season-Ending Injury News

Two days ago, the Cleveland Guardians announced that ace pitcher Shane Bieber will be undergoing Tommy John Surgery to reconstruct the right ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his pitching elbow.

This came after the right-hander was off to a historic start matched only since 1901 by his American League Cy Young Award-winning season in 2020.

On Monday afternoon, an emotional Bieber addressed the media for the first time since Cleveland announced his injury and necessary surgery.

“I think one of the things that is a bit more difficult for me is that throughout the offseason and in spring training, I did figure some things out, and my performance was getting back to the place that I knew I was capable of,” Bieber said. “I was falling back in love with pitching, and I was having a lot of fun. This group’s great, and they’re capable of so much with or without me. I know I’ll be a part of it, but just in a different capacity.”

The 28-year-old won his only two starts this season, pitching 12.0 scoreless innings. He allowed no 10 hits, just one walk, and threw an impressive 20 strikeouts, which led MLB after his last start on April 2.

Bieber has dealt with two additional injuries during his time with the Guardians.

He missed over two months last season due to right elbow inflammation, but was able to make a pair of starts to end the year. Before that, the right-hander missed over three months during the 2021 season due to a subscapularis strain in his pitching shoulder. Bieber also ended that year with a pair of starts with Cleveland.

Now, the veteran pitcher will begin his road to recovery as he once again aims to return to his peak form.