Guardians Give Injury Update After Tanner Bibee’s Early Exit

Tanner Bibee was named the Cleveland Guardians Opening Day starter for the 2025 season, but didn’t take the mound due to falling ill.

Thursday was supposed to be Bibee’s redemption outing as he earned the honor as the team’s Opening Day starter, but he couldn’t get through the entire start. 

Bibee went out to the mound for the sixth inning, but clearly felt discomfort during his warmups.

Steven Vogt, accompanied by Cleveland trainer Jeff Desjardins, walked out to the mound, and after a brief conversation, Bibee walked off the mound and exited the start prematurely.

It was unclear exactly what forced Bibee to leave the game early, but the team announced later on in the game that the starting pitcher exited with right shoulder inflammation.

Manager Stephen Vogt said after the game that this was a new injury for Bibee. Cleveland’s skipper also mentioned the injury wasn’t something that occurred on a single pitch or play, but something he was dealing with and feeling throughout the start.

“He was examined. He's strong. He's feeling good,” said Vogt after the game.

“We just have to see how he feels in the next couple of days coming out of it, but definitely the right call for him to let us know he was feeling it… As he was throwing his warm-ups, he felt it was enough to come get us. And he's tough and he's throwing all these guys throw through so much discomfort. So I'm really glad he didn't try to push through it."

Vogt also pointed out that Bibee “hasn’t pitched in this kind of weather” this year, which is a fair point. The temperature was routinely hitting triple-digits out in Arizona, while the first pitch temperature in Seattle was 52 degrees. 

Before his night came to an end, Bibee gave up three earned runs (all home runs) in 5.0 innings of work, while striking out seven hitters and issuing two walks. Bibee faced some adversity early on, but didn’t let those solo home runs unravel his start.

Hopefully, this isn’t an injury that keeps Bibee out too long. 

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