Blue Jays acquire Cy Young winner Shane Bieber in trade with Guardians

The American League Cy Young winner is on the move The Toronto Blue Jays acquired Shane Bieber from the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for pitching prospect Khal Stephen the teams disclosed on Thursday Bieber has not made a start this season as he has been recovering from Tommy John surgery that he underwent last season CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS COMIn free agency this past offseason Bieber signed a one-year deal with the Guardians reportedly worth up to million that included a million athlete option in The two-time All-Star pitched in just two games last season before undergoing surgery Bieber was shut down after his first rehab start when he experienced soreness in his surgically repaired elbow However things have gone smoothly since that initial setback as he has made four rehab starts in July between the Rookie-League Arizona Complex High-A Lake County and Double-A Akron Bieber threw pitches in his last rehab start and is on track to make his season debut sometime in August METS STAR FRANCISCO LINDOR SAYS HIS JOB IT TO 'PLAY SHORTSTOP ' NOT TO WORRY ABOUT PACT DEADLINE MOVESBieber had spent his entire seven-year career with the Guardians The Blue Jays right now have five starting pitchers Kevin Gausman Chris Bassitt Jose Berrios Eric Lauer and Max Scherzer but a club can never have enough pitching If Bieber could return anywhere close to his Cy Young form the Blue Jays would have added another ace to their rotation He won the award in during the coronavirus-impacted season The Blue Jays are - and hold a four-game lead over the New York Yankees for first place in the American League East Stephen was the Blue Jays second-round pick in the MLB Draft out of Mississippi State Across three minor league levels this season Stephen has thrived Stephen has a - record with a in starts and innings this season The Guardians are - but they are nine games behind the Detroit Tigers for first place in the American League Central They are rumored to also contract other key players on their roster before the contract deadline Follow Fox News Digital s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter