Blue Jays' Cy Young Pitcher Sidelined by Injury

Shane Bieber to miss start of 2026 season due to forearm fatigue

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Toronto Blue Jays will be without their Cy Young Award-winning pitcher Shane Bieber to start the 2026 MLB season. Bieber, who was traded to the Blue Jays last July, has been diagnosed with forearm fatigue that will delay his ramp-up period and keep him off the mound for the beginning of the season.

Why it matters

Bieber's injury is a significant setback for the Blue Jays, who were counting on the right-hander to anchor their starting rotation after he made a promising debut with the team last season. The Blue Jays will now have to rely more heavily on their other starters like Kevin Gausman and Dylan Cease to open the year.

The details

After being traded from the Cleveland Guardians to the Blue Jays last July, Bieber made 7 starts for Toronto in the 2025 season, going 4-2 with a 3.57 ERA and 1.02 WHIP. However, the 30-year-old has now been diagnosed with forearm fatigue that will delay his ramp-up for the 2026 season. The Blue Jays also announced that right-hander Bowden Francis will undergo Tommy John surgery and outfielder Anthony Santander will have left labral surgery, further depleting their pitching and outfield depth.

  • Bieber was traded to the Blue Jays on the final day before the 2025 MLB trade deadline.
  • Bieber made 12 appearances for the Blue Jays in the 2025 regular season.

The players

Shane Bieber

A 30-year-old right-handed starting pitcher who won the American League Cy Young Award in 2020 while with the Cleveland Guardians. Bieber was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in July 2025.

Bowden Francis

A right-handed pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays who will undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the entire 2026 season.

Anthony Santander

An outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays who will undergo left labral surgery and be out for 5-6 months.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The update came along with the Blue Jays announcing that right-handed pitcher Bowden Francis will be undergoing Tommy John surgery and will miss the entire season, and outfielder Anthony Santander will be out five to six months as he gets left labral surgery.”

— Mitch Bannon, Reporter (The Athletic)

What’s next

There is no specific timetable for when Bieber will be able to take the mound for the Blue Jays, but the team will have to rely on their other starting pitchers like Kevin Gausman, Dylan Cease, Trey Yesavage, and Cody Ponce to open the 2026 season.

The takeaway

Bieber's injury is a significant setback for the Blue Jays, who were counting on the former Cy Young winner to anchor their starting rotation. The team will now have to navigate the start of the season without one of their top pitchers, putting more pressure on their other starters to step up.