GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Are you really surprised?
In what was merely a formality, Guardians manager Terry Francona announced Thursday that ace pitcher Shane Bieber will be their No. 1 starter when the regular season begins next week. It marks the third-straight Opening Day start for the 26-year-old, who has slowly developed into one of baseball's best young arms.
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Since breaking into the big leagues in 2018, Bieber has won 41 games and posted a 3.29 ERA while striking out 633 batters. His crowning achievement came during the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, when he led the Majors with eight wins, 122 punch outs, and a 1.63 ERA to win the American League's Cy Young Award.
Bieber made his second AL All-Star team in 2021, but made just 16 starts and missed most of the second half with a shoulder strain. He and the organization recently avoided arbitration with a $6 million contract for this year, and he has indicated he is open to a long-term extension with Cleveland.
Besides Bieber, the Guardians hope to once again sport a strong starting rotation, especially with Aaron Civale and Zach Plesac coming back from their own long-term injuries. Triston McKenzie and Cal Quantrill are expected to round out the group, but Francona is still finalizing how the staff will look early, noting there will be an off day after the season begins on April 7 in Kansas City.
"[Pitching coach] Carl [Willis] and I need to get with the pitchers before we go any further," Francona told reporters today from spring camp in Goodyear, Arizona. "When we talk to them, then I'll let you [know]. Not that it's a secret; I'd just feel better if we talk to them first."