Blue Jays' Shane Bieber shines in debut with 9 strikeouts

Shane Bieber made a highly impressive return to Major League Baseball in his debut with the Toronto Blue Jays, striking out nine batters over six innings while allowing just one run and two hits in a 5-1 victory over the Miami Marlins. This marked Bieber's first MLB appearance in 16 months following Tommy John surgery after experiencing elbow discomfort in April 2024. Bieber retired 12 consecutive batters after giving up a solo home run early in the game, showcasing command and a diverse pitch mix across 87 pitches without issuing any walks. The Blue Jays supported Bieber with an early 3-0 lead, including key hits from Daulton Varsho and Ty France, helping Toronto improve their record to 75-54 and maintain a strong lead in the AL East. Acquired from the Cleveland Guardians at the trade deadline, Bieber was the 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner and had been rehabbing with minor league starts before rejoining the majors. His performance has raised expectations for his impact on the Blue Jays' playoff prospects as he works back to form after a long injury layoff.