2 min read • February 23, 2022
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Shane Bieber, the 2020 Cy Young pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians, missed three crucial months last season with a shoulder strain.
Prior to that, he had not missed a start since college.
The 26-year-old was healthy until a start on June 13. He threw 107 pitches over 5.2 innings in a 6-2 loss to the Mariners and allowed 5 earned runs, his most since July 2019.
The day after, he was placed on the 10-day IL with a right shoulder strain that was eventually diagnosed as a subscapularis muscle strain.
Although the initial news was not too concerning, Bieber did not make his next start until September 24, when the Guardians had already been eliminated from playoff contention.
The ProBaseballDocs believe Bieber's slow return last season was based on caution from the team, not because of a serious injury that could linger into this season.
Bieber led the league in innings pitched at the time of the injury, but he said at the time he didn't believe the injury was caused by overuse.
In the COVID-shortened 60-game season two years ago, Bieber led the league with 122 strikeouts, was fourth in innings pitched and second in pitches throw.
He finished last season with a 7-4 record, a 3.17 ERA, 134 strikeouts and 33 walks.
Heading in to the 2022 season, the ProBaseballDocs give Bieber a SIC health score of 90.
He should be draft as usual in all fantasy formats and may even be available at a discounted price to start the year given the uncertainty of last year's injury.
The ProBaseballDocs have confidence Bieber will be able to anchor the Guardians rotation once again this season.
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