Shane Bieber’s long-awaited return to Major League Baseball was nothing short of electrifying as he took the mound for the Toronto Blue Jays on August 22, 2025, in Miami. After 507 days away from big-league action, following Tommy John surgery in April 2024, the 2020 AL Cy Young winner showed the world he’s still got the stuff that made him one of baseball’s best. Bieber’s debut in a Blue Jays uniform could hardly have gone better, as he struck out nine Marlins over six innings, allowing just two hits and a single run in a 5-2 Blue Jays victory over the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park.
It was a night built on anticipation and emotion. Toronto manager John Schneider was beaming after the game, saying, “I’ve got Bieber Fever. I’m a believer.” Schneider’s faith was rewarded early and often, as Bieber wasted no time falling into rhythm. “I was able to fall into a nice little rhythm pretty early tonight, and that’s a big part of pitching, especially for me,” Bieber said postgame. “It felt very familiar. I was happy with how everything felt. It didn’t feel foreign whatsoever.”
Bieber’s command, often the last thing to return after Tommy John surgery, looked sharp from the get-go. “Usually coming back from that injury, command is kind of the last thing,” Schneider remarked. “For one, I’m happy for Shane. It’s a long road to get back here. And to go out and pitch the way he did ... efficient, great tempo. [His] changeup was ridiculous, slider was great, spotted his fastball. Everything you look for in a guy that’s won a Cy Young, and he made it look way easier than it is for most people coming off that surgery.”
Bieber’s first Major League pitch in over a year came with a 3-0 lead, thanks to some early fireworks from the Blue Jays’ offense. Daulton Varsho doubled home a run, and Ty France followed with a two-run single—both hits coming with two outs in the top of the first against Marlins starter Ryan Gusto. That cushion allowed Bieber to settle in, and boy did he ever. He struck out the first batter he faced, Xavier Edwards, on an 82.6 mph knuckle curve, then fanned Jakob Marsee on a changeup. The only blip in the opening frame was a hit batter, but Bieber quickly got out of trouble.
In the second, Miami’s Javier Sanoja battled through a 10-pitch at-bat before launching a 93.7 mph fastball over the centerfield wall for a solo home run. “That was honestly a great at-bat,” Bieber admitted. “He put a great swing on it after fouling off a bunch of great pitches.” But that was the only run the Marlins would get off Bieber. The right-hander retired the next 12 batters in succession, striking out the side in the fourth inning and keeping the Marlins guessing all night.
“I’m very happy with how tonight went,” Bieber shared. “It’s been a long road. I’m happy to continue to build off how I was 16 months ago. I feel like I’m continuing to get better. A lot of positive signs. It’s just a matter of continuing to put one foot in front of the other and building.” The stat line tells the story: six innings, two hits, one run, nine strikeouts, no walks, and 87 pitches. Bieber’s performance was a testament to his hard work and determination during his lengthy rehab, which included four outings for the Guardians and three more with Triple-A Buffalo after the Blue Jays acquired him at the July 31 trade deadline.
Bieber’s dominance was matched by the Blue Jays’ bats, particularly Daulton Varsho, who put together a stellar night at the plate. Varsho not only doubled home a run in the first but also crushed a 423-foot two-run homer to right-center in the sixth, stretching Toronto’s lead to 5-1. Ty France chipped in with two hits and two RBIs, and Alejandro Kirk’s two-out single in the sixth set the stage for Varsho’s blast. Bo Bichette, meanwhile, doubled in the first inning to keep his AL-leading hits total climbing, reaching 158 on the season.
On the Marlins’ side, starter Ryan Gusto had a tough home debut, giving up five runs and seven hits over six innings. Gusto, acquired from Houston at the trade deadline, struggled to contain Toronto’s offense, especially with the heart of the Blue Jays’ order locked in early. Miami’s only other run came in the eighth, when Maximo Acosta took reliever Yariel Rodríguez deep for a solo homer, trimming the deficit to 5-2. But the Blue Jays’ bullpen—Rodríguez, Brendon Little, and Jeff Hoffman—slammed the door, with Hoffman earning his 28th save of the season.
The night wasn’t just about the numbers, though. After Bieber’s final pitch, Schneider met him in the dugout for a long, emotional embrace. “I just said, ‘Five hundred and whatever days it was in between, you should sit back and enjoy this. Congratulations,’” Schneider recalled. “You hate getting emotional on the field or in the dugout. But you could feel he felt the relief of getting back out there. ... When you’re looking at a really good starting pitcher get back to doing what he’s great at, that’s the highlight of your day.”
Afterward, Bieber spent time with his family outside the visitors’ clubhouse, soaking in the moment. “For me, all day today, I just felt a lot of gratitude for what’s been a long road for my family and my support system that keep me going every day,” Bieber said. “Just awesome to share this moment with them.”
Toronto’s decision to acquire Bieber while he was still rehabbing was a bold one, but it’s already paying dividends. Bieber had posted a 1.86 ERA with 37 strikeouts in 29 innings across his seven rehab starts before Friday’s return. Schneider said before the game that there were no strict restrictions on Bieber’s innings, though he’d likely be capped at 100 pitches. On this night, 87 pitches were more than enough.
With the win, the Blue Jays solidified their spot atop the AL East, and the energy in the clubhouse was palpable. The next chapter comes quickly, as Toronto sends José Berríos (9-5, 4.00 ERA) to the mound against Marlins right-hander Janson Junk (6-2, 4.04) on Saturday. But for now, the story is all about Bieber’s triumphant comeback—a night that Toronto fans, and Bieber himself, won’t soon forget.
Sometimes, a single night can change the complexion of a season. For Shane Bieber and the Blue Jays, Friday’s victory in Miami was one of those nights, filled with hope, gratitude, and the promise of more magic to come.
