Shane Bieber exercises 2026 option to stay with Blue Jays

Shane Bieber has exercised his $16 million player option to remain with the Toronto Blue Jays for the 2026 season, a league source said Tuesday, a decision that removes one of the higher-profile starting pitchers from the upcoming free agent market. Bieber declined the $4 million buyout in his contract and will be under club control through next year before becoming a free agent in 2027.

Bieber, 30, joined the Blue Jays at the trade deadline after being acquired from the Cleveland Guardians while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. He was placed on a minor league rehab assignment before returning to the majors and made seven regular-season starts for Toronto, posting a 3.57 earned run average and recording 37 strikeouts in 40 and one-third innings. He added five postseason appearances, including four starts, working 18 and two-thirds innings with a 3.86 ERA. In total he made 12 appearances for the Blue Jays across the regular season and playoffs.

The decision to opt in surprised some observers who expected Bieber to test free agency after reestablishing his form down the stretch and in October. Various projections had estimated he could command a multiyear deal on the open...