Guardians notes: Ace Shane Bieber set to make first rehab start outside of Arizona on Tuesday

CLEVELAND — Shane Bieber is moving closer to the light at the end of the rehab tunnel. Bieber will take the next step in his attempt to return from Tommy John surgery performed in April of last year, as the scheduled starter today at Class A Lake County. "I think anytime he's throwing in real games, you're on a progression, so it's exciting," manager Stephen Vogt said. "We take it one day at a time with all of our rehab guys, especially coming back from UCL surgery. So for Shane, it's check the box today and then go get it tomorrow." "It's good to have Biebs back in the building." Bieber was with the Guardians on Monday and has visited multiple times during his recovery. Having the 30-year-old right-hander around the team in any capacity is an asset, according to Vogt. "It gives you someone to bounce ideas off of, bounce thoughts, experiences," Vogt said. "(Pitchers) having a question about a certain count or a certain situation. 'What do you think? What do you do?' I think anytime you have someone like Shane Bieber in your clubhouse, you get better. And he's such a good teammate, he cares about the guys so much and he just brings energy just by having him and him around." Bieber's latest rehab outing came in the Arizona Complex League on Sunday, when he tossed two scoreless innings, allowing a hit and walk and striking out five. He is scheduled to throw three innings (40-45 pitches) today for the Captains. Thus far, he's been able to avoid the setback he encountered on May 31 at the ACL, his first professional appearance on the mound since April 2, 2024. MEDICAL CHECK According to Vogt, shortstop Gabriel Arias (ankle sprain) is progressing well at his rehab assignment with Triple-A Columbus. He had played in two games through Monday, going 1-for-5 with a walk. "He's feeling really good," Vogt said. "If everything goes well, he should be back pretty soon, so we're excited. Gabby's feeling good, moving around well, no issues." l The same can't be said for outfielder Lane Thomas (plantar fasciitis), who isn't close to beginning a rehab assignment, according to the manager. "He's done some baseball activity, but it's progressing a little slower than we thought," Vogt said. GUARDIANS' ANGEL Second-year player Angel Martinez is working his way into the lineup on a regular basis, recording 11 extra-base hits (seven doubles, four home runs) over his last 11 games entering Monday. The total is tied with the Phillies' Bryce Harper for the second-most in the majors behind the Athletics' Nick Kurtz (12). "Sometimes it takes a little bit of success," Vogt said of Martinez, who entered Tuesday batting .246 with nine homers and 37 RBIs in 82 games. "For Angel, it was kind of an up and down, up and down. You'd have some good stretches, but he's really been very consistent over the last month, and obviously, the last 10 days have been even better for him. It's hard to take him out of the lineup right now. "There's going to be days where we gotta give him a day off, but the way he's just attacking everything ... he's working defensively at (second base and center field). And I can't speak enough about how much he's been working and we're starting to see that (pay off). You can definitely see the maturation right in front of our eyes." NO POLITICS, PLEASE In light of the president advising the Guardians on X to change the team's name back to the Indians, Vogt was asked if he was ready to change the name of the franchise. "Yeah, I mean, I'm here to help win baseball games," Vogt joked. ROUNDIN' THIRD The Guardians owned a .993 fielding percentage in July (16 games), which was tied with Texas and Houston for the highest in the majors through Monday. … Cleveland entered Monday having scored 33 runs with two outs in its last 10 games, accounting for the most in the majors over the span. … Tuesday, 6:40, Joey Cantillo (1-0, 4.17) vs. Brandon Young (0-4, 7.52), Guardians TV; WOBL 1320-AM and 107.7-FM, WTAM 1100-AM, WMMS 100.7-FM. Contact Chris Assenheimer at (440) 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Like him on Facebook and follow him @CAwesomeheimer on X.