What’s Next For Guardians, Shane Bieber After Injury News?

The Cleveland Guardians will need to search for more pitching following the team's news that Shane Bieber will need Tommy John Surgery.

A hot and promising start for the Cleveland Guardians has turned into an utter disaster and nightmare scenario. 

Shane Bieber, who didn’t allow a run over 12.0 innings of work this season, will need Tommy John surgery and will miss the rest of the season. The date of the surgery has yet to be determined but Bieber will not throw another pitch in 2024.

Mar 2, 2024; Goodyear, Arizona, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Shane Bieber (57) leaves the game against the Kansas City Royals during the second inning at Goodyear Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

What about the Guardians? What do they do now?

Well, they need to get more pitching. But the situation gets more complicated considering they’re already dealing with their fair share of injuries to the pitching staff. 

Gavin Williams has yet to throw a pitch this season due to feeling elbow discomfort in spring training. He did recently throw a bullpen session and is on track to return hopefully soon. The bullpen also took a hit before the season started after the team learned Trevor Stephan would need Tommy John surgery, James Karinchak would miss the start of the season with a shoulder issue, and Sam Hentges would also begin the year on the injured list with swelling in his finger.

Xzavion Curry and Ben Lively did make rehab appearances with the Columbus Clippers at the end of the week.

Following the news of the injury, the organization did recall righty reliever Peter Strzelecki as they officaly put Bieber on the IL.

Based on all of these injuries and the current overall depth in the system, Cleveland may need to look elsewhere for any sort of pitching help. This could come from the free agency market or the team could finally package some of their position player youth and make a trade for a starter.

What the team decides to do, Cleveland faces plently of uncertainty