Blue Jays seeking authentic self-definition
Toronto Blue Jays' Shane Bieber Progresses Through Rehab, Learning from Chris Bassitt's Recovery
Chris Bassitt, a veteran pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays, pitched six quality innings in a recent game against the Kansas City Royals, but the team unfortunately lost 7-4 in extra innings. Meanwhile, Shane Bieber, who is currently recovering from Tommy John surgery, had an encouraging rehab start with the Buffalo Bisons.
Bieber, who underwent the surgery in April 2024, has been gradually progressing through his rehab, making several minor-league rehab starts. In his latest outing, he threw 62 pitches over 5 innings. Bassitt, who himself underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in May 2016, has been a valuable source of advice for Bieber during his recovery. The two shared a conversation about the stages of recovery from the procedure.
Bieber felt "good" and "excited" about his recovery process after his rehab start. John Schneider, the Blue Jays' manager, found Bieber's repertoire, pitch count, and velocity encouraging. However, he expressed a desire to give Bieber 5 days of rest between starts, but the date of his next start is yet to be determined.
The Blue Jays have been cautious and gradual in Bieber's reintroduction to full pitching workload, with plans for a few more rehab starts before returning to high-pressure, full-pitch count games. The team acquired three pitchers and first baseman Ty France at the trade deadline, and they made their debuts on Sunday, with mixed results.
The Blue Jays currently lead the AL East with a record of 65-48. However, they have faced challenges recently, with the Baltimore Orioles' hot offense contributing to their struggles. Chris Bassitt believes the team is suffering from fatigue since the All-Star break.
Ty France did not play in the last game of the series against the Royals. Despite the challenges, the Blue Jays remain optimistic, with the return of Shane Bieber and the addition of new talent to their roster. The team will carefully integrate Bieber into the rotation alongside proven starters like Bassitt, making careful decisions about bullpen and rotation spots.
This approach reflects best practices from recovery experiences of Tommy John surgery patients like Bassitt and aims to maximize Bieber's long-term effectiveness and health. Bassitt’s recovery experience provides a real-world benchmark for Bieber’s ongoing rehab, with key advice centering on gradual workload increase, command refinement, and leveraging the rest period to recover overall pitching mechanics and physical health.
[1] Bassitt's Tommy John recovery began in 2016, providing a real-world benchmark for Bieber’s ongoing rehab.
[2] Bieber is progressing well 16 months post-surgery, feeling good physically, with velocity returned, and slowly ramping up pitching activity through minor-league rehab starts.
[3] Rehab advice centers on gradual workload increase, command refinement, and leveraging the rest period to recover overall pitching mechanics and physical health.
[4] The Blue Jays will carefully integrate Bieber into the rotation alongside proven starters like Bassitt, making careful decisions about bullpen and rotation spots.
[5] John Schneider would like to give Bieber 5 days of rest between starts, but the date of his next start is undetermined.
Bassitt's Tommy John recovery, which began in 2016, is providing a real-world benchmark for Bieber’s ongoing rehab.
16 months post-surgery, Bieber is progressing well, feeling good physically, with velocity returned, and slowly ramping up pitching activity through minor-league rehab starts.
