Blue Jays Pitcher Shane Bieber Posts 6.00 ERA but Records 1,000th Career Strikeout in First Starts After Elbow Injury

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Shane Bieber has posted a 6.00 ERA over nine innings in his first two starts of the 2026 season after missing the first three months with an elbow injury. In his most recent start, Bieber worked five and one-third innings against the Texas Rangers. He surrendered a first-pitch home run to Joc Pederson but recorded his 1,000th career strikeout during the outing.

Bieber’s season debut came against the Houston Astros, when he allowed four runs on nine hits, including three home runs, in three and two-thirds innings. Bieber opted into his contract with the Blue Jays for 2026 after returning from a prior injury. He was sidelined again with an injury during preseason.

“Mechanically, I’m working on a few things and that’s always hard midseason,” Bieber said. ” After the Rangers start he added: “The game didn’t start in an ideal fashion. I knew that coming in, and first pitch of the game, I was put on my heels.