The Cleveland Guardians received devastating news about one of their best players, pitcher Shane Bieber, just eight games into their 2024 season. Bieber will undergo surgery to reconstruct the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, causing him to miss the remainder of the season. The procedure will be performed by Dallas orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister, though the date has not yet been scheduled.
Despite the discomfort, Bieber managed to strike out 11 batters and allow only four hits over six innings in his Opening Day start against the Oakland Athletics. The pain persisted during his second appearance when he showcased his skills by recording nine strikeouts in six scoreless innings against the Seattle Mariners. Subsequent tests revealed the injury, leading to the recommendation for Tommy John surgery.
Last season, Bieber grappled with inflammation in his right elbow, limiting his playing time to 128 innings and 21 starts. His performance suffered as he posted his lowest strikeout rate in six seasons and second-highest ERA. This injury could potentially mark the end of Bieber’s time with the Guardians, as he is set to become a free agent after the season.
Despite the setback of surgery, Bieber is expected to be in high demand among teams seeking a dominant starting pitcher in the market. Throughout his seven seasons in MLB, Bieber has proven himself as one of the best pitchers in the league, accumulating a 3.22 ERA and 62-32 record while averaging 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings.
One week into the 2024 MLB season, the Guardians hold
