Shane Bieber says the relationships, coaches, and training staff played into his decision to return to the Cleveland Guardians.

The former Cy Young winner re-signed with the Guardians on Wednesday, a reunion that seemed unlikely when he became a free agent following last season.

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That was big for me to feel confident in my rehab where I'm at right now,' Bieber said of signing a 1-year contract. 'Nobody knows me as well as Cleveland does.'

Bieber said Wednesday that he has been throwing from 90 feet three times per week, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports. Bieber added that he is encouraged by the progress he's made since undergoing Tommy John surgery in April,

DALLAS ― Shane Bieber weighed every offer he received as a free agent. They were lucrative and he enjoyed the process. “Everybody handled everything first class all the way,” said Bieber. “I’ve got great things to say about plenty of other organizations.

The contract includes a player option for 2026. The deal comes after Bieber's 2024 season ended after just 2 starts due to Tommy John surgery.

Shane Bieber will be back pitching for the Guardians in 2025, but exactly when he will take the mound for the first time next season is an open question. According to multiple reports, Bieber and the Guardians have agreed to a $14 million contract for 2025 with a $16 million player option for 2026.