Guardians notes: Shane Bieber continues on road to recovery

CLEVELAND – Guardians pitcher Shane Bieber, on the 60-day injured list, continues to impress in his road to recovery. The right-hander, who had Tommy John surgery last year, threw a 30-pitch, two-inning simulated game Saturday. He said afterward he thought he'd have another simulated game before possibly going on a rehab assignment. "He looked incredible," Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said. "His stuff was really good. You can tell he's ready to get back out there. It was really encouraging." The Guardians hope to have him back in the majors sometime after the All-Star break. Sewald returns Cleveland activated right-handed reliever Paul Sewald off the 15-day injured list Saturday. He recovered from a right shoulder strain. They sent left-hander Doug Nikhazy to AAA Columbus. "It's really good to have Paul back," Vogt said. "He's been feeling great." The manager said it's unfortunate that Nikhazy had to be sent back to the minors, especially after he pitched one scoreless inning against Detroit on Friday. Vogt said adding Sewald to the bullpen will make it much stronger. "We'll be cautious on how we use him," he said. Foot pain Guardians center fielder Lane Thomas left Friday's game in the sixth inning with a flare up of plantar fasciitis. "He's feeling better," Vogt said. "He wasn't thrilled with me taking him out (Friday)." Thomas, batting .160, has spent two stints on the injured list this season. The manager said he hoped to have Thomas available for pinch-hitting duties. Minor matters Second baseman Juan Brito suffered a hamstring injury at Columbus this week, even though information is scarce at this point. "I still don't know the extent of it," Vogt said. Second baseman Travis Bazzana was scheduled to play five innings Saturday at the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League. It's the 2024 No. 1 overall pick's first action in two months after suffering an internal right oblique strain. Slow but sure Guardians shortstop Gabriel Arias, who sprained his left ankle June 30 and is on the 10-day injured list, has begun doing some baseball activities. Vogt said he took some ground balls and did some hitting Saturday. "He's feeling better every day," he said. Arias is eligible to come off the injured list Thursday. Doby Day Hall of Famer Larry Doby made his debut with the Indians on July 5, 1947, which broke the color barrier in the American League. He was instrumental in Cleveland's 1948 World Series victory, the franchise's last championship. Doby died at age 79 on June 18, 2003. The Guardians gave away 15,000 Doby bobble heads Saturday. Bob Finnan can be reached at rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on X.