Jays face rotation decisions with Bieber healthy

TORONTO – John Schneider has a plan with his starting rotation now that newcomer Shane Bieber is healthy and ready to make his Toronto Blue Jays debut.
But moments after his team was routed by the Texas Rangers 10-4 before 42,549 at Rogers Centre on Sunday, the Blue Jays manager was reticent about when exactly Bieber slots in this week.
“We got some plans in place,” is all Schneider said.
The Blue Jays announced Kevin Gausman, Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt — in that order — have been scheduled to pitch Toronto’s outings in Pittsburgh against the Pirates on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Blue Jays have Thursday off before beginning a weekend series in Miami against the Marlins.
The 30-year-old Bieber had six days off between his three rehab starts with triple-A Buffalo. He made his last start with Buffalo on Saturday, which puts him on schedule to pitch again in Miami on Friday.
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But even though the Blue Jays’ existing starting rotation of Scherzer (41), Bassitt (36), Gausman (34), Jose Berrios (31) and Eric Lauer (30) are 30 or older, they’re each competitors and thrive on heavy workloads.

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Berrios hasn’t missed a start in his career. Even though he had won four decisions before his poor outing in the series finale against Texas, he appears ready for a rest.
Berrios has gone six innings in only one of his last seven starts.
“I think everyone can,” Schneider said when asked if Berrios could benefit from some extra rest.
“I think whenever you can get guys extra rest, it’s always important, especially this time of year. But at the same time, you’re trying to win every single game you can.”
The Blue Jays (73-52) continue to lead the American League East by five games over the Boston Red Sox with six weeks remaining.
Berrios lasted only 4 1/3 innings against the Rangers, allowing six runs on 10 hits with two strikeouts and homers to former Blue Jays infielder Marcus Semien and Corey Seager.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Berrios said when asked if he was OK with a six-man rotation.
“But (Bieber’s) healthy and ready. I’ll do whatever.”
Schneider, however, still has faith in Berrios.
“When I think of him, I think of consistency,” Schneider said. “There’s been some ups and downs for him and a lot of guys.
“We’re still winning a lot of games, and he’s finding a way to keep us in games, too. He’s the same guy every single day. I’m sure he’s frustrated today that he couldn’t go longer or give up less runs. That’s just kind of how he’s wired.”
SPRINGER DINGER
In his second outing since his 15-game absence, George Springer belted a two-run homer in the eighth inning.
“It was a good day for him,” Schneider said. “He was actually doing a lot when he wasn’t cleared to play. He was getting a lot of reps in.
“I think being able to fall back on what he has been doing so well this year has served him well.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 17, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press


Spirits maker Diageo will cease operations at its bottling facility in Amherstburg, Ont., early next year, as it shifts some bottling volume to the U.S., the company announced on Thursday.
The facility, which bottles Crown Royal products, will close in February in a move aimed at improving its North American supply chain.

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About 200 jobs will be affected.
“This was a difficult decision, but one that is crucial to improving the efficiency and resiliency of our supply chain network,” Marsha McIntosh, Diageo’s president of North America supply, said in a statement.
Diageo said it will engage with the community and find ways to support its employees through the transition, and work alongside Unifor to assist unionized workers.
The company said it will still maintain a “significant” footprint in Canada — including its headquarters and warehouse operations in the Greater Toronto Area, and bottling and distillation facilities in Manitoba and Quebec.
McIntosh added the company’s Crown Royal products will continue to be mashed, distilled and aged at its Canadian facilities.
© 2025 The Canadian Press

Toronto police say a 33-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly striking two men with his car Wednesday evening.
Officers say they responded to reports of a collision in the area of Don Mills Road and Gateway Boulevard in the city’s North York neighbourhood just before 10:30 p.m.

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Police say two men got into an argument, leading to one man getting into his car and hitting the other man with it.
They say the man then put his car into reverse, striking a second man.
A man in his 50s was transported to hospital with serious injuries and the second man, in his 20s, had minor injuries.
Police say the suspect from Markham, Ont., faces several other charges as well, including two counts of assault with a weapon, uttering threats and dangerous driving.
© 2025 The Canadian Press

A court document shows a Lindsay, Ont., man facing charges for allegedly breaking into an apartment was carrying a crossbow when he was confronted by a tenant.
The resident, Jeremy David McDonald, is also facing assault charges in the incident on Aug. 18 — a fact that has generated widespread interest in the case.
Police information filed in court alleges that Michael Kyle Breen damaged a window and screen at McDonald’s home and carried a crossbow.
The court document says the 41-year-old Breen is charged with break and enter, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, mischief under $5,000 and failing to comply with a probation order.

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Police have said that Breen, who is scheduled to appear in court for a bail hearing next week, was already wanted for unrelated offences.
McDonald, the 44-year-old resident, was charged with aggravated assault and assault with a weapon after he allegedly “did endanger the life” of Breen.
Premier Doug Ford blasted the decision to charge the apartment resident, saying last week that it shows “something is broken.”
Kawartha Lakes Police Chief Kirk Robertson wrote in a statement Wednesday that he recognizes the incident has generated significant public interest and “emotional” responses, but called some of the reaction “unjust and inaccurate.”
Robertson wrote that individuals have the right to defend themselves and their property, but the law requires that any defensive action be proportionate to the threat faced.
“This means that while homeowners do have the right to protect themselves and their property, the use of force must be reasonable given the circumstances,” he wrote.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
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