The Toronto Blue Jays have made a splash on MLB trade deadline day, acquiring right-hander Shane Bieber from the Cleveland Guardians.
Cleveland receives minor-league pitcher Khal Stephen, ranked the No. 5 prospect in Toronto’s system.
Bieber, 30, is nearing a return from Tommy John surgery and hasn’t pitched in the majors this season. He struck out seven over four innings in his latest rehab outing Tuesday with Double-A Akron.
Bieber won the 2020 American League Cy Young after leading the league in ERA (1.63), strikeouts (122) and wins (eight) during the pandemic-shortened 60-game season.
It’s the Jays’ second major trade this week after adding reliever Seranthony Dominguez from the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday.
The Jays, who lead the American League East, opened a three-game series with Kansas City on Friday.