Blue Jays right-hander Shane Bieber rejoins team after elbow injury

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Shane Bieber rejoined the team Friday in Chicago and could be activated from the injured list in the next few days, manager John Schneider said. Bieber, the 2020 American League Cy Young Award winner, has not pitched this season. He was placed on the 15-day injured list in March with elbow inflammation and later moved to the 60-day list.

Rehab assignment completed The 31-year-old finished a five-game rehab stint with a start for Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday. He allowed five runs and 11 baserunners over five-plus innings while throwing 80 pitches and reaching 93 mph. Bieber is scheduled to throw a side session at Wrigley Field on Saturday. Activation could follow shortly afterward, possibly as soon as Monday.

Background and roster moves Toronto acquired Bieber from Cleveland at last year's trade deadline. The two-time All-Star went 4-2 with a 3.57 ERA in seven regular-season starts after returning from Tommy John surgery and posted a 2-1 mark with a 3.86 ERA in five postseason games.

Bieber exercised his $16 million player option in the offseason to remain with the Blue Jays. He was transferred to the 60-day injured list on April 13. In a separate roster move Friday, the Blue Jays recalled left-hander Brendon Little from Triple-A Buffalo and optioned right-hander Chad Dallas to the same club.