ORLANDO, Fla. — After Shane Bieber picked up his $16 million option to remain with the Toronto Blue Jays for 2026, executives were “baffled” by the decision. That confusion continued into December, with multiple league sources suggesting Bieber was injured.
We now have a bit more clarity on Bieber’s status and his decision to pick up his option.
Bieber dealt with forearm fatigue at the end of the season, a person briefed on the matter said, but has since begun offseason recovery and rehab work. It’s not entirely clear if the forearm ailment entirely caused Bieber to pick up his player option and avoid the unknowns of free agency, but it likely factored into his decision.
When asked about Bieber’s status at the Winter Meetings, Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said “he’s in a strong position,” though he noted the Jays are taking things week to week with Bieber and could stagger his workload in early spring. Atkins said Bieber being ready for Opening Day is “a very realistic outcome,” but reiterated the team is taking things week to week.
Though Atkins didn’t explicitly state Bieber’s injury in Orlando, his answers didn’t indicate the righty was entirely healthy after a return from surgery and long postseason push.
The fit for Bieber with the Jays was obvious, but it didn’t seem likely that a return would come via his player option. While with the Jays, the starting pitcher expressed how much he and his family enjoyed the city, and he rejoined a team that fell just short of a World Series title.
For a pitcher with a Cy Young track record and a successful return from surgery, Bieber seemed destined for more money on the open market. The Athletic’s Tim Britton projected a three-year, $63 million contract before Bieber picked up his option. Now, Bieber will try to earn a World Series with the Jays in 2026 and re-enter the market next winter.
The Jays, though, are looking to insulate themselves with a few unknowns in the rotation. Even after signing starters Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce, the Jays remain interested in adding starting pitching, a person briefed on the matter said. Bieber’s health is a slightly open question. It’s also difficult to rely on Jose Berrios after he lost a rotation spot late last year, and Trey Yesavage is coming off a career-high workload. Though Cease and Kevin Gausman appear particularly reliable options, the Jays still have room for more pitching depth.
— Ken Rosenthal contributed to this story.
