Shane Bieber is officially continuing his tenure with the Toronto Blue Jays, having opted into his player option for the 2026 season. This decision was confirmed by Sportsnet, following an initial report by Jon Heyman from the New York Post on Tuesday.

Bieber is now set to enter the final year of a two-year, $26 million contract originally signed with the Cleveland Guardians. This agreement includes a $16 million salary allocated for the upcoming 2026 season.

The 30-year-old right-handed pitcher, a former Cy Young Award winner, made a notable return to the mound after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2024, which caused him to miss a significant portion of two seasons. During his stint with the Blue Jays, he showcased a strong performance in seven regular-season starts after joining the team in July. He recorded a 4-2 win-loss record, a 3.57 earned run average (ERA), and a 1.017 WHIP in a total of 40.1 innings pitched.

In the postseason, Bieber's performance was also commendable. He made five appearances, achieving a 2-1 record with a 3.86 ERA and a 1.446 WHIP. However, one notable moment came when he surrendered an 11th-inning home run to Will Smith, which contributed to the Los Angeles Dodgers' victory in Game 7 of the World Series.

Before his time with the Blue Jays, Bieber had an impressive career with the Cleveland Guardians. He gained significant recognition after winning the Cy Young Award in 2020, a season marked by an impressive 8-1 record, a striking 1.63 ERA, and 122 strikeouts over 77.1 innings. His dominating performance that year positioned him at the top of all Triple Crown categories in the American League during the shortened COVID-19 season.

Throughout his eight-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career, Bieber has maintained a solid overall record of 66 wins and 34 losses, with a career ERA of 3.23 and a WHIP of 1.111. His track record highlights his resilience and ability to perform at a high level, making him a valuable asset to the Toronto Blue Jays as he prepares for the 2026 season.