Bieber takes 'encouraging' step for potential return

CLEVELAND — Help could be on the way for the Guardians, but not on the offensive side of the baseball. Shane Bieber threw two innings of live batting practice Saturday afternoon at Progressive Field and things went well. Bieber, recovering from 2024 Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, faced hitters from Double-A Akron. "I thought he looked incredible," said manager Stephen Vogt. "His stuff was really good. Just him feeling healthy is what matters, but the stuff was really good as well." Bieber told reporters he needs at least one more BP session before he goes on a second rehab assignment. The first rehab assignment ended in early May when he developed soreness in his surgically repaired elbow after throwing a rehab game for the Guardians' Arizona Complex team in Goodyear. He was shut down for several days and has been retracing his steps at an accelerated pace. "You could tell he's ready to get back out," said Vogt. "We'll determine the next steps over the next few days when we see how he feels. But that was really encouraging." Bieber, the former Cy Young winner, drew a crowd. The home dugout was crowded with Vogt, coaches and front office personnel. The setback in May probably means Bieber won't be ready to join the rotation until late August or early September. By then, the Guardians should know that fate of right-hander Luis Ortiz, who is being investigated by MLB for gambling activities. If Ortiz isn't back by then, Bieber could take his spot. After last season, Bieber was a free agent. He returned to Cleveland, signing a one year deal worth $10 million with a player option worth $16 million, including a $4 million buyout. While the rotation has done a solid job, and the bullpen has improved, the offense continues to struggle. The Guardians entered Sunday's game having lost nine straight games, including being held scoreless in five of those games. Utility man Juan Brito, one of several hitters at Triple-A Columbus who are having good seasons, offered a possible solution. but he left Friday's game with a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, shortstop Gabriel Arias, on the injured list with a sprained right ankle, worked out on the field Saturday afternoon for the first time since his injury. But he still has time to serve on the IL before he's ready to play again. On the positive side, Travis Bazzana began playing rehab games for the Arizona Complex team in Goodyear on Saturday. Bazzana, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft, has been sidelined with a right oblique injury since mid-May. Sewald returns Paul Sewald was activated from the 15-day injured list for Saturday's game against the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field. Sewald last pitched for Cleveland on April 28 before being felled by a right shoulder injury. In Saturday's 1-0 loss, Sewald threw a scoreless eighth inning and needed just 14 pitches (nine strikes) and struck out one batter. The Guardians optioned lefty Doug Nikhazy to Triple-A Columbus after he threw a scoreless ninth inning against the Tigers on Friday to make room on the 26-man roster. Nikhazy joined the Guardians on Thursday at Wrigley Field in the season-finale against the Cubs. To make room for Nikhazy, lefty Kolby Allard was designated for assignment. Allard threw three scoreless innings in a 5-4 loss to the Cubs on July 2 in Chicago to save the bullpen. "It was a tough decision," Guardians team president Chris Antonetti. "He pitched so well for us in a variety of different roles. But where we were in our bullpen, we needed some length." Allard went 2-0 with a 2.55 ERA in 16 games, including one start, for Cleveland. Sewald opened the season in the fast lane. He made 14 appearances in March and April, going 1-1 with a 6.17 ERA. He allowed eight earned runs on 13 hits in 11 2/3 innings. The opposition hit .283 against him. The Guardians signed Sewald in January to a one-year deal worth $7 million. The deal includes a mutual option worth $10 million for 2026 with a $1 million buyout. Sewald made four rehab appearances at Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus. He allowed one run in four innings, striking out five and not walking a batter. Finally One of the reasons the Guardians have had trouble scoring runs is that they've hit too many homers with no one on bases. Of the Guards' 85 homers this season, 58 have come with the bases empty. It's the highest percentage in the big leagues. The Guardians entered Sunday's game tied for 27th among 30 MLB teams in runs following the month of June when they finished last in the AL with 72 runs. During their 10-game skid, Cleveland (40-47) has scored just 15 runs in the 10 losses and were shutout five times. Cleveland pitchers allowed just four runs over a three-game span against the first-place Cubs and Tigers — but lost all three games. The Guardians have scored in just eight of the 92 innings during the losing streak, and had scored in multiple innings in 12 of their last 27 games before having to face reigning AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal on Sunday and Houston standout Hunter Brown on Monday.