TORONTO - Right-hander Shane Bieber has elected to return to the Toronto Blue Jays next season rather than enter the open market as a free agent.

He has exercised his player option for the 2026 season, the team said Wednesday.

Bieber, 30, was 4-2 and posted a 3.57 earned-run average with Toronto after being acquired from the Cleveland Guardians at the trade deadline last summer.

His return solidifies a starting rotation that will likely include ace Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, Jose Berrios and perhaps Eric Lauer. It's unclear if right-handers Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt will return, as both are free agents.

Bieber, whose option is worth US$16 million, was 2-1 in the post-season with a 3.86 ERA. He earned a Game 4 road win against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series and pitc

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