Mike Wilner

Mike Wilner: Shane Bieber passes first test after Blue Jays’ big swing at the trade deadline. When will he get the call? The scouting report from Bieber's Triple-A catcher told part of the tale after Sunday's game in Buffalo.

While #Bluejays were losing at home, #Bisons were doing the same thing but that didn’t matter.

In Buffalo, Shane Bieber took another big step toward coming back to the big leagues and #Jays can’t wait.

I was there to see it:

New #Bluejays minor-league catcher Brandon Valenzuela on Shane Bieber today:

"Changeup was gross, slider really good, fastball location pretty much pinpoint. I caught Snell, I caught Darvish, they're all pretty good, but I've never seen something like that."

After his outing, Shane Bieber said that he felt great and could have continued beyon 62 pitches.

Said there are still things he needs to work on, execution-wise, but wouldn't commit to requiring another rehab outing.

#Bluejays

I was to the left of Sabretooth and up a few rows. Not in the picture.

Here’s the 62th and final pitch of Shane Bieber’s first outing in #Bluejays organization.

93.2mph heater on the inside black that Jose Azocar grounds to 2B to end top5.

Bieber gave up 2 runs on 5 hits with a walk & 6 Ks, threw 47 strikes. Looked healthy, which is all that matters.

For those of you paying more attention to #Bluejays game, you should know that the last time I went to cover a #Bisons game, Bowden Francis took a no-hitter into the ninth inning back in Toronto.

Shane Bieber delivers the first pitch of the 4st inning to Syracuse’s Joey Meneses in his rehab outing with the Buffalo Bisons.

I have moved down behind the plate to watch Bieber’s final two innings of the afternoon.

Here’s his first pitch of top4 to Joey Meneses. It would wind up being his first 1-2-3 inning of the day.

Bieber gets touched up here in top3, allowing a single to Azocar on an 0-2 pitch and then a solo homer to Luke Ritter.

In between, Azocar was caught stealing by new #Bluejays Brandon Valenzuela, though the call would have been overturned if there was replay.

Bieber was not as sharp here in his second inning of work. Walked the leadoff man on eight pitches then balked him to second, from whence he scored on a ground single to right by Omar De Los Santos.

But he struck out David Villar and picked De Los Santos off first to end the inning. #Bluejays

Shane Bieber pops up former #Nationals slugger Joey Meneses to end a top1 in which he threw 13 pitches. Had he gotten a call on a check swing by Meneses, they would all have been strikes. #Bluejays

Shane Bieber struck out the first batter he faced, former Padre and Met Jose Azocar, on three pitches to begin his first rehab start.

Then he struck out Luke Ritter on three pitches.

No immaculate inning, though, as Canadian Jared Young grounds an 0-1 pitch up the middle for a single. #Bluejays

No, sir. I will not be contributing to the economy of this country in any way while I'm here, just like I didn't in Detroit last weekend.

Back home, #Bluejays have activated Alejandro Kirk from the 7-day injured list, but Leo Jimenez is the one optioned down here to Buffalo.

#Jays will run with three catchers, at least today. When Springer returns, either Heineman goes to the IL or Sanchez gets DFA'd.

A view of lovely little Sahlen Field, home of the Blue Jays’ AAA affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons, from high above home plate.

Hello, Buffalo!

While #Bluejays play their rubber match with KC this afternoon, Shane Bieber will be making his debut as a member of the organization here at Sahlen Field.

The right-hander is expected to throw five innings or 70 pitches, whichever comes first.

I had a 50-50 shot with my last guess and I guessed wrong.

I don’t disagree. But several words have been lately.

It’s been a good news/bad news night.

Went to see @joshgondelman.bsky.social at Comedy Bar tonight - outstanding show as expected and a lovely meet and greet after!

But then crashed out on today’s Wordle, ending a 441-day streak, damnit.

Blue Jays notebook: Alejandro Kirk gets green light, George Springer ramps up Tyler Heineman's early Saturday exit vs. Royals moves up timeline for Kirk's return from concussion IL.

Alejandro Kirk will be back with #Bluejays tomorrow and just in time!

#Yankee just lost to the under .500 #Marlins again, so if #Redsox hold onto their 9th-inning lead against #Astros, Boston will move into second in the AL East, four games behind #Bluejays.

#Jays hold the playoff tiebreaker against both teams.

Again, I wouldn't hold your breath,

#Bluejays double up #Royals 4-2 to even the series. Davis Schneider's two-run bloop single got it going, Bo Bichette had an RBI single as part of a 3-hit day, Max Scherzer shoved for six innings and Seranthony Dominguez & Jeff Hoffman retired the last seven hitters in a row.

Sunday rubber match!

Jeff Hoffman comes in to face #Royals 5-6-7 in top9, looking to close it out with #Bluejays on top 4-2.

Another perfect outing for Seranthony Dominguez.

Four up and four down - he hasn't given up a hit yet in three outings since being traded to #Bluejays.

To bot8, #Jays up 4-2.

#Royals reliever Steven Cruz appears to be hurt, which is why he left the game after facing only two hitters. Taylor Clarke takes over with #Bluejays at first and second, 1out and Vladdy coming to the plate in bot7.

Ernie Clement gets #Bluejays that top7 run back with an RBI single to left, scoring JoPerfido.

4-2 #Jays bot7.

#Bluejays announce that Heineman left the game with a head contusion.

They also seem to have very little confidence in JoPerfido's ability to hit left-handers.

He's 41 and has been on the injured list five times since 2023. You still have to be careful with him.

Brendon Little gives up a leadoff double and #Royals get it over (with a groundout by Handsome Randal!) and get it in with a sac bunt.

#Bluejays lead cut to 3-2 top7 as Seranthony Dominguez makes his home debut.

I would not bet on that.

Scherzer exits after 84 pitches, allowing a run on five hits and with #Bluejays leading #Royals 3-1.

Brendon Little takes over for top7.