The Toronto Blue Jays are coming off their best postseason run in over 30 years.

The Blue Jays won their first pennant since 1993 and made it to Game 7 of the World Series, which the Los Angeles Dodgers won 5-4 in 11 innings.

Part of Toronto's success was due to the stellar pitching of its starting rotation in the playoffs. And one of those pitchers will be back in the fold for 2026.

On Tuesday, right-handed starting pitcher Shane Bieber exercised his $16 million player option and will be back with the Blue Jays in 2026, according to multiple reports.

The 2020 American League Cy Young and Triple Crown winner missed most of the season due to Tommy John surgery, which kept him out of action from April 3, 2024-Aug. 21, 2025. Bieber underwent Tommy John surgery when he was with the Cleveland Guardians. Toronto acquired him in a trade with Cleveland on July 31.

Bieber made his season and Blue Jays debut Aug. 22. He posted a 3.57 ERA across seven starts in the regular season and struck out 37 batters in 40.1 innings pitched.

In the playoffs, Bieber had a 3.86 ERA and fanned 18 batters in 18.2 innings across five appearances (four starts).

Bieber played 2025 under a one-year contract with the player option attached for 2026. He'll be an unrestricted free agent after this season.

Bieber being on the roster will help shore up Toronto's rotation, which has some questions going into the offseason.

Three-time Cy Young winner and future National Baseball Hall of Famer Max Scherzer is an unrestricted free agent and will turn 41-years-old in 2026, Trey Yesavage is yet to pitch a full season (he made his major league debut Sept. 15) and Jose Berrios was moved to the bullpen before the playoffs and ended the year on the 15-day injured list due to right elbow inflammation.

Bieber guarantees the Blue Jays will have at least three spots in the starting rotation taken care of for 2026: Bieber, Yesavage and Kevin Gausman.

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