Shane Bieber believes he isn't far away from MLB action with his new club, the Toronto Blue Jays.
"I'm very close to being big-league ready, so I'm definitely feeling excited and fresh," Bieber said, according to the Toronto Sun's Rob Longley.
Bieber, who was acquired Thursday in a trade with the Cleveland Guardians, is still recovering from Tommy John surgery. He's expected to make at least two more rehab starts before joining the big-league club, with his next outing scheduled at Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.
The 30-year-old threw a bullpen on Friday without any issues.
"Now I just need to continue to build volume and get ready so that when I do get out on that mound, I have no restrictions and I can go out there and compete," he said. "That's what it's all about. That's what you play for."
Bieber is a two-time All-Star and won the American League Cy Young Award in 2020, the same season he won pitching's Triple Crown.