Blue Jays lose Shane Bieber to shoulder injury as playoff race heats up

Starting pitcher was placed on the 15-day IL due to a shoulder injury (right teres major inflammation) in midst of playoff race.

Published Aug 25, 2026  •  2 minute read

Shane Bieber of the Toronto Blue Jays delivers a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays last week. Getty Images

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Just what the Blue Jays needed as the race to the post-season intensifies.

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The team announced on Tuesday that starter Shane Bieber, who had been in sharp form in his recent outings, is headed to the 15-day injured list with a shoulder injury.

Officially described by the team as “teres major inflammation,” Bieber will miss at least two starts — and likely more should a rehab assignment be necessary.

The loss of Bieber is a huge blow to the Jays rotation, given how strong he has pitched of late. The team is opening a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night at the Rogers Centre to kick off a six-game home stand.

To make room on the roster, the Jays have recalled right hander Chad Dallas from triple-A Buffalo. The right hander was activated for Tuesday’s game.

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What are Jays losing in Bieber?

The right hander heads to the IL despite coming off one of the more effective stretches of his season, the start of which was delayed due to injury.

This past Thursday, Bieber shut down the AL-leading Rays, holding them to one run over seven innings in a big 5-1 win. His start prior to that, he held the Yankees to one run back on Aug. 14.

It was widely felt that the recent jump in form would be a key to the playoff push for the Jays, who began Tuesday’s play with a record of 64-68, two games out of the final AL wild-card spot.

What now with Jays rotation?

With Bieber out, manager John Schneider will have to come up with creative situations yet again, the continuation of a season-long battle that has seen the rotation ravaged with injury.

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Bieber joins Trey Yesavage (knee) among the walking wounded in the starter crew. Best case for the rookie right-hander is a late-season return, but that is far from guaranteed. The veteran was scheduled to make his next start against the Royals on Wednesday.

At least pitcher Spencer Arrighetti, acquired from Houston at the trade deadline, has returned to action and is a possibility to slide into a starting role, though his pitch count was limited to 61 in his only Jays appearance thus far.

Patrick Corbin and Jameson Taillon are among Jays starters who also are relatively recent additions to the injured list.

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