CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Shane Bieber didn’t exactly know something was wrong, but he knew all wasn’t right.
“I think it was over course of the last couple starts. I started feeling a little iffy and I wasn’t being my best self,” Bieber said.
The reigning American League Cy-Young Award winner was a day removed from his most recent outing when manager Terry Francona delivered the most devastating injury update in a growing list to that point: his ace was headed to the injured list for the next ten days.
“I think he thought he could work through it,” manager Terry Francona said at the time.
But a 6-2 loss to the Mariners on June 13th where Bieber allowed ten hits, five earned runs and two walks while striking out eight was the last time we’ve seen the right-hander on the mound in a game situation.
What became clear was Bieber couldn’t, or more-so shouldn’t, try to “work through it.”
“I hold myself to a high standard. I know my teammates do as well,” Bieber said. “It was frustrating not being able to go out there and give them 100-percent of myself and ultimately that’s when I decided I needed to get things looked at.”
Since then, Bieber has nursed a right shoulder strain back to health, specifically the subscapularis muscle. The initial stint on the 10-day was subsequently followed by a move to the 60-day IL on July 25th, meaning any potential return can’t happen until at least August 15th.
Bumps in the road are not uncommon in the recovery process, particularly when dealing with a shoulder injury. Still, it hasn’t come without its share of disappointment.
“There was always the potential with it, just because that’s the nature of shoulders and how it works. Obviously, this wasn’t what I want,” Bieber said. “I was ‘cautiously optimistic’ is what I call it. I would love to stick to a time frame and get back as soon as possible, because it’s frustrating not being able to be out there.”
For Bieber, this is uncharted territory. He’s been a model of consistency, both in ability and availability. This absence marks the first time he’s missed action since his days at UC Santa Barbara.
“It’s new. For me, this is my first stint since like my freshman year of college. It’s a new challenge, but I’ve been embracing it and doing the best I can with it,” Bieber said. “I wasn’t sure how that was going to go. I’ve talked so some of my friend, coaches, teammates, training staff. They said it would be challenging obviously physically, but mentally as well. There’s ups and downs each day.”
The trip to the injured list proves Bieber wasn’t immune from the proverbial injury bug.
A wave of injuries that has swept over the Indians this season. Even manager Terry Francona has stepped away to address health issues; a hip replacement and rod inserted into his foot to address damage due to a staph infection.
“It’s a bummer. He left us with a nice message, and we only want the best for him as he wants the best for us.” Bieber said. “We’ll be continually checking in on him and hoping things go well. Ultimately, it’s about physical and mental health. If he needs to get something done, which he has, that’s what’s most important.”
In the meantime, Bieber continues his recovery and is still very much a presence both with his team and the community.
“I’ve been doing my best to stick with the club, go on the road trips, continue my rehab on and off the field,” Bieber said. “In the home clubhouse, in the visitor’s clubhouse. It’ s been nice to still be a part of what we’re brewing up here.”
Friday afternoon, Bieber even hosted a group of ten kids from the PlayBall! CLE league for a back-to-school shopping spree. Bieber and the kids chowed down some pizza and browsed around the store, picking out some of their favorite gear.
“It’s nice to just enjoy some time and make connections with these kids. They’re a lot of fun to be around, and special for different reasons,” Bieber said. “We weren’t able to do it in 2020, for obvious reasons but it’s good to be back and get the ball rolling again. It just comes down to having fun with these kids, giving them an opportunity to kind of splurge and maybe show off at school with some new gear.”
As for when we’ll see Bieber back on the mound, it remains to be seen.
“It’s taken a little bit longer than I would’ve liked, but ultimately, it’s about long term here,” Bieber said. “To be able to get back and get some healthy starts under my belt by the end of the 2021 season is important to me, and I look forward to doing that.”
