MLB Odds: Shane Bieber (shoulder) placed on 15-day IL; Blue Jays open as -130 favourites over Royals

The Toronto Blue Jays are placing starting pitcher Shane Bieber on the 15-day injured list ahead of their series opener against the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday.

Here’s what you need to know.

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Shane Bieber

Bieber was originally scheduled to start at home against the Royals on Wednesday. However, the 31-year-old right-hander experienced soreness after his last start against the Rays. Bieber was added to the 15-day IL with right teres major inflammation retroactive to August 21.

It’s the latest setback for Bieber, who missed the start of the season as he continued to work his way back from Tommy John surgery. Bieber has posted a 5-2 record this season with a 4.37 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 55.2 innings pitched across 11 starts.

Toronto Blue Jays

The injury to Bieber is the latest hit to a Blue Jays’ rotation that is already without Trey Yesavage, Cody Ponce and Jose Berrios.

Veteran Max Scherzer, who has posted a career-worst 7.40 ERA this season, is slated to start on Tuesday. Toronto is a -130 favourite over Kansas City.

The Bieber injury likely means the Jays will go with a bullpen game on Wednesday. Toronto also recalled right-hander Chad Dallas on Tuesday.

With 30 games left on the schedule, Toronto remains two games out of the final wild-card spot in the American League. The Blue Jays need to go at least 17-13 to finish the season with a .500 record and they’ll likely need to be even better to claim a wild-card spot.

Toronto is currently +260 to make the playoffs.