Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Shane Bieber has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to inflammation in his teres major muscle located under his right shoulder. This setback comes at a crucial time for the team as they are in contention for a wild-card spot as the season nears its end.

The decision to place Bieber on the injured list was made retroactively to Friday following his impressive seven-inning performance in a recent victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. Manager John Schneider revealed that Bieber experienced discomfort during a bullpen session in New York on Sunday, leading to an MRI that confirmed a moderate to mild teres major injury.

Having won the American League Cy Young Award in 2020, Bieber has a 5-2 record this season with a 4.37 earned-run average. He had already missed the first two months of the season due to elbow inflammation and forearm fatigue.

Schneider expressed hope for Bieber’s return this season but could not provide a specific timeline. With Toronto sitting two games behind an American League wild-card position, the loss of Bieber’s contribution to the pitching rotation is a significant setback for the team as they navigate the final stretch of games.

The manager acknowledged the challenges posed by Bieber’s absence, emphasizing the team’s resilience in overcoming similar obstacles earlier in the season. As they strive to maintain their competitive position in the playoff race, the Blue Jays will need to adjust and persevere in Bieber’s absence.