Shane Bieber draws rave reviews from manager after dominant Blue Jays debut

The Toronto Blue Jays (75-54) took down the Miami Marlins (60-68), 5-2, on Friday in the opener of their three-game weekend series at LoanDepot Park.

It was an important win for a Blue Jays team coming off a disappointing series loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates earlier in the week. The result was nice, but the game will always be remembered for starting pitcher Shane Bieber making his return to the mound and doing so in dominant fashion.

Bieber had not pitched since April of 2024 because of an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. He was dealt to Toronto at the trade deadline and im pressed in his Blue Jays debut, going six strong innings, allowing one earned run and two hits, while striking out nine batters. 

Hazel Mae of Sportsnet shared what manager John Schneider had to say about his new starter after the game. 

"Great tempo. Change-up was ridiculous. Slider was great. Spotted his fastball.. everything you look for in a guy who’s won a Cy Young, and he made it look way easier than it is, or than it is for most people, coming off that surgery," Schneider said.

Schneider was also feeling the Bieber fever before starting his media availability.