MLB outfit Cleveland Indians will get a boost as their pitcher Shane Bieber is scheduled to pitch for the first time since straining his right shoulder on June 13.

The team’s president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said that the right-hander is expected to return to training on either Friday or Saturday when the Indians travel to Detroit, the Associated Press reported.

Bieber, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner, was confident last week that he would pitch again this season even though his rehabilitation has taken longer than expected. Bieber is 7-4 with a 3.28 ERA in 14 starts.

The Indians have revealed that Bieber has a strain in his rotator cuff. His pitch velocity had noticeably dropped over his last few starts before the team decided to give him a rest. Bieber was 8-1 in the shortened 2020 season and led the majors in wins, ERA (1.63), and strikeouts (122).

Right-hander Aaron Civale is scheduled to pitch a simulated game Friday at Class A Lake County. He was tied for the major league lead with 10 wins when he sprained his right middle finger on June 22.

“Both are continuing to progress. Aaron’s ahead of where Shane is at this point in his progression,” AP quoted Antonetti as saying.

Rookie right-hander Nick Sandlin, who strained his shoulder on Wednesday against Oakland, was placed on the 10-day injured list. Antonetti said Sandlin would have an MRI on Thursday Sandlin has become a reliable part of Cleveland’s bullpen, going 1-1 with a 2.94 ERA in 34 appearances.

Outfielder Harold Ramirez was not in Thursday’s lineup after injuring his right knee sliding into second base Wednesday.

First baseman Bobby Bradley could begin baseball activities in a few days. He strained his left knee sliding into home plate Friday and is on the IL.