Guardians ace Bieber braced for TJ surgery

Shane Bieber pitched until the pain stopped him.

Cleveland’s ace will have season-ending Tommy John elbow surgery, a major blow to the Guardians and the 2020 Cy Young winner, who had looked like his dominant self in two strong starts this season.

The 28-yearold two-time All-star righthander struck out a league-leading 20 while pitching 12 scoreless innings in starts against Oakland and Seattle despite the elbow getting progressively worse.

Limited to 21 starts a year ago because of elbow issues, Bieber experienced pain following his opening day start. He was given an extra day off before facing the Mariners.

Bieber battled through six innings while the soreness and inflammation intensified. He is 62-32 with a 3.22 ERA in 134 major league starts, all with Cleveland.

■ Braves: Right-hander Spencer Strider has damage to the ulnar collateral ligament in this right elbow and will undergo further evaluation to determine the next course of action. The 25-year-old All-star went 20-5 with a 3.86 ERA and 281 strikeouts in 186⅔ innings last season, leading the majors in wins and strikeouts. After posting a 0.79 ERA and 35 strikeouts over 22⅔ innings in spring training this year, he has a 7.00 ERA through two starts.

■ Yankees: Reliever Jonathan Loaisiga will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a torn right UCL. The 29-year-old right-hander, limited to 17 games last year after having a bone spur removed from his right elbow, was 1-0 in four scoreless innings over three games this season. He has a 3.44 ERA in seven major league seasons, all with New York.

■ Red Sox: Shortstop Trevor Story (dislocated left shoulder) was placed on the 10-day injured list. The 31-year-old two-time Allstar, in the third season of a six-year, $140 million deal, was limited to 137 games the past two seasons because of right elbow, right hand and left foot injuries.

■ Obit: Ex-pitcher Pat Zachry, a National League co-rookie of the Year in 1976 with World Series champion Cincinnati who was traded to the New York Mets the following year for Tom Seaver, died Thursday after a lengthy illness. He was 71. Zachry went 69-67 with a 3.52 ERA in 10 major league seasons with four teams.

■ White Sox: Center fielder Luis Robert Jr. (right hip flexor strain) was placed on the 10-day IL. The 26-yearold reigning All-star, who hit .264 with 38 homers, 80 RBIS and 20 steals last season, missed three months in 2021 with the same injury.

■ Dodgers: Reliever Connor Brogdon was acquired from Philadelphia for minor league left-hander Benony Robles. Brogdon, 29, has a 3.88 ERA and 146 strikeouts in 144 innings over five major league seasons, all with the Phillies.

■ Athletics: Reliever Alex Speas was acquired from the Chicago White Sox for cash considerations. The 26-yearold had a 2.86 ERA and 85 strikeouts over 56⅔ innings across two minor league levels last season.

Shane Bieber