Toronto added some pitching help for an AL East race that seems destined to go down to the wire.
The division leaders acquired former AL Cy Young winner Shane Bieber from the Guardians on Thursday, the team announced.
Cleveland received pitching prospect Khal Stephen in return.
This trade comes with the big caveat that Bieber has not yet pitched in the majors this season and last appeared in a game on April 2, 2024 after undergoing Tommy John surgery last year.
He made four minor-league starts for the Guardians, including three in the past two-plus weeks.
Bieber, 30, lasted four innings and allowed one run while throwing 57 pitches in his last outing July 29 for Double-A Akron.
He had been slated for another potential rehab start Sunday, and ESPN noted that Cleveland expected him to rejoin its rotation in August.
Toronto is hoping, at minimum, Bieber can provide rotation insurance or potentially provide them with critical innings down the stretch.
The two-time All-Star and 2020 Cy Young winner posted a 3.80 ERA in his last season with at least 20 starts in 2023, and went 62-32 with a 3.22 ERA across eight seasons with the Guardians.
The righty has a $16 million team option for 2026 that includes a $4 million buyout, and the Blue Jays now have a pair of former Cy Young winners in Bieber and Max Scherzer.
Toronto entered Thursday four games ahead of the Yankees in the AL East, and tied with the Tigers for the best record in the league.
The Blue Jays’ rotation includes staples Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt and Jose Berrios, while Scherzer and Eric Lauer have been handling the other two spots.
Cleveland landed Toronto’s No. 5 prospect, per MLB.com’s rankings.
Stephen is 9-1 in18 games (17 starts) spanning Double-A and Single-A, striking out 99 batters in 91 2/3 innings.
The Guardians are one team to monitor Thursday since star left fielder Steven Kwan is rumored to be available and several contenders are interested.
