On Sunday, the Cleveland Guardians shut down 2020 Cy Young award winner, Shane Bieber for two weeks due to elbow inflammation. Fortunately, for the Guardians who currently sit 2.5 games behind the Minnesota Twins in the AL Central, Bieber will only be out for two weeks. Even better news, the injury will not require surgery, which would shut down the ace for the season. In the wake of the move, the Guardians called up Michael Kelly from Triple-A Columbus.
This Season
In the 28-year-old’s 19 starts this season, he’s secured a 3.77 ERA and a 2.88 strikeout-to-walk ratio. It may be hard to believe, but this is Bieber’s worst ERA since his rookie season in 2018, as well as the lowest strikeout-to-walk ratio he’s posted as a major leaguer. His previous low was 4.06. If you look deeper, Bieber has struggled more than it seems. His swing-to-miss ratios have dropped. With a career whiff mark of 30.6%, he heads to the Injured List with a 24.4% rate. Bieber is also in the eighth percentile in average exit velocity, meaning he’s given up heavy contact this season.
Trade Deadline
In the wake of Shane Bieber’s injury, you can’t help but acknowledge the trade rumors surrounding his name. It is that time of year after all. Shane Bieber has just one year of team control remaining. This injury not only lowers the chances of the Guardians dealing Bieber by August 1, but it also hurts the team’s playoff chances. Starting pitchers, Triston McKenzie and Cal Quantrill are both nursing their own injuries, and are both out with elbow injuries. Rookies Gavin Williams, Logan Allen, and Tanner Bibee will continue to get starting nods and hopefully get the Guardians back in the win column on a consistent basis while the ace counterparts work to get back on the field. There is still a lot of baseball left, and the Guardians will need all the help they can get.
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