TORONTO – The Toronto Blue Jays made a splash on MLB trade deadline day, acquiring right-hander Shane Bieber from the Cleveland Guardians.

Cleveland received righty Khal Stephen, a 22-year-old minor-league pitcher ranked the No. 5 prospect in Toronto’s system by MLB Pipeline.

Toronto also picked up catching prospect Brandon Valenzuela from the San Diego Padres in exchange for infielder Will Wagner on Thursday.

Bieber, 30, is nearing a return from Tommy John surgery and hasn’t pitched in the majors this season.

He’s posted a 1.59 earned-run average and 0.71 WHIP across four rehab starts, including a seven-strikeout performance over four innings Tuesday with Double-A Akron.

The former American League Cy Young winner has spent his entire career with Cleveland since being drafted in 2016, compiling a 62-32 record with a 3.22 ERA over 136 big-league appearances. He’s also a two-time all-star, a Gold Glove recipient and was named MVP of the 2019 all-star game.

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Bieber won the Cy Young in 2020 during the pandemic-shortened 60-game season, after leading the majors in wins (8), ERA (1.63) and strikeouts (122) — becoming just the ninth pitcher since 1913 to claim MLB’s Triple Crown.

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He agreed to a one-year, $14 million contract last fall with a $16 million player option for 2026.

Stephen, meanwhile, has gone 9-1 with a 2.06 ERA across three minor-league levels this season.

The Mississippi State product was a second-round pick by Toronto in 2024 and has struck out 27.9 per cent of opposing batters in his first full pro campaign.

Bieber was the Blue Jays’ second major pitching acquisition this week after adding reliever Seranthony Dominguez from the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old Valenzuela hit 14 doubles, a triple, a dozen home runs and 46 RBI while carrying an on-base plus slugging percentage of .700 through 87 games for Double-A San Antonio this season.

The catcher from Hermosillo, Mexico, has thrown out 25 base runners. His 34.7 per cent caught stealing percentage ranks second among all Double-A catchers.

The 27-year-old Wagner from Houston, Texas, appeared in 40 games for the Blue Jays this season with a batting average of .237, seven extra-base hits and seven RBI.

Toronto acquired Wagner from the Astros at last season’s trade deadline along with outfielder Joey Loperfido and pitcher Jake Bloss in exchange for pitcher Yusei Kikuchi.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 31, 2025.

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A Bancroft, Ont., man is facing dozens of charges related to child exploitation following an online investigation involving multiple OPP departments.

Police say search warrants were executed at residences in Bancroft and Phelpston, and that several electronic devices were seized.

A 51-year-old from Bancroft was arrested and charged with nine counts of luring a person under the age of 16, one count of luring a person under the age of 18, six counts of making child pornography available, and seven counts of making sexually explicit material available to a person under 16.

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“The responsibility of protecting our children in today’s digital age cannot be overstated. I encourage every member of our community to stay informed about the online risks young people face,” says OPP Det. Staff Sgt. Chris Barkey.

“Parents, in particular, play a crucial role — engage in open conversations with your children, establish clear boundaries and make use of available resources to help ensure their safety online,” Barkey said.

The accused remains in custody following a bail hearing and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Belleville on Thursday.

Provincial police say they will continue to identify and pursue individuals who use technology to exploit children.

Police are urging parents to take a proactive approach to help protect their children from online sexual exploitation by speaking with them about internet safety. Parents can find resources to assist them at cybertip.ca or protectchildren.ca.

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A London man has been arrested after attacking a person out for a walk with their dog and stealing the furry friend.

The London Police Service responded to a robbery in the south end of the city over the weekend.

Shortly before 10:40 p.m. on July 27, police say a man walking his dog in the area of Base Line Road West and Cotswold Gate was approached by an unknown male.

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The suspect male reportedly told the man to give him his dog and the two became involved in an argument.

Police say the suspect brandished a pair of pliers and struck the victim several times before taking the dog and fleeing on foot.

A citizen in the area called 911 and described the suspect to police.

Officers were able to locate and arrest the suspect a short distance away without the dog.

The victim sustained serious non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to hospital by paramedic services.

The dog was later found at the suspect’s home and was reunited with the victim.

As a result of the investigation, a 30-year-old London man has been charged with one count of robbery.

The accused appeared in court on Wednesday.

&copy 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.