CLEVELAND – Cleveland Indians ace Shane Bieber tested positive for COVID-19, delaying the arrival of Cy Young winner of the American League to the training ground.
Baseball operations president Chris Antonetti said on Thursday that Bieber had dealt with only mild symptoms of the virus. Antonetti anticipates that Bieber, who had been training at the team’s training complex in Goodyear, Arizona, will join the club in the coming days.
Antonetti did not reveal when Bieber tested positive.
The team’s pitchers and catchers reported earlier this week, and the Indians will have their first full team training on Sunday.
Bieber, 25, was dominant last season, leading the league in wins (8), ERA (1.63) and eliminations (122) in 12 matches. Bieber has been 34-14 in the past three seasons.
The Indians are counting on him to lead their starting team and keep the club competitive after changing the shortstop of All-Star Francisco Lindor and right-handed Carlos Carrasco.