John Schneider says that Shane Bieber's pitch count "is enough" at this point after throwing 80 today. Bieber will travel to Chicago to meet the team there. He'll throw a bullpen and they'll talk it through. Possible he's ready, especially with Scherzer to the IL. #BlueJays
Blue Jays: Shane Bieber reaches 80 pitches in rehab start with Bisons
Photo credit: © Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images
Jun 18, 2026, 09:30 EDTUpdated: Jun 18, 2026, 09:26 EDT
The Toronto Blue Jays’ rotation needs Shane Bieber to return more than ever now.
On the same day the club placed right-hander Max Scherzer on the 15-day injured list with back spasms, Bieber made what is likely to be his final rehab start as he prepares to make his 2026 MLB debut.
Bieber made his fifth rehab outing, and third in Triple-A with the Buffalo Bisons. The 31-year-old was charged with the loss after turning in a pitching line of 5.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 2 K in what was a Bisons’ 5-1 loss against the Charlotte Knights at Sahlen Field.
The right-hander worked a clean top of the first inning before running into trouble in the top of the second. Bieber walked the first batter of the inning before allowing back-to-back singles to allow the game’s opening run to cross the plate. After getting Dru Baker to pop out, Knights shortstop Andy Weber drove the first pitch of the at-bat, an 87 MPH cutter, 371 feet to right field to extend the Knights’ lead to 4-0.
Bieber worked a clean top of the third inning before becoming an escape artist in the top of the fourth inning. After getting the first two batters of the inning out on four pitches, Bieber allowed the next three batters to reach by giving up a single, a double, and a walk to load the bases with two outs. Chicago White Sox’s 26th-ranked prospect Rikuu Nishida stepped up, and after getting ahead 1-2 in the count, Bieber put Nishida away with an 89.1 MPH changeup.
Bieber returned for the top of the fifth inning and used his third double play of the day to erase a Kyle Teel leadoff single before striking out Nolan Jones on a 2-2 knuckle curveball that was buried below the strike zone. Bieber was sent back out for the top of the sixth inning but was tagged for Ryan Galanie’s 10th home run of the season on an 81.1 MPH knuckle curveball to close out his afternoon.
During his latest outing, Bieber averaged 91.8 MPH with his fastball, topped out at 93 MPH and was removed after throwing 80 pitches, 18 more than the 62 Bieber threw during his outing on June 11. Speaking before Tuesday night’s game against the Boston Red Sox, Blue Jays manager John Schneider stated that Bieber’s pitch count is enough and that he will travel to Chicago to join the Blue Jays before their three-game set with the Cubs.
If this is the final outing for Bieber, he will finish his rehab process after making five starts and posting a 1-2 record, a 6.88 ERA and a 1.88 WHIP across 17 innings pitched. With a clear opening in the rotation, Bieber’s return could come on Monday, June 22, during the series opener against the Houston Astros.
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