Shane Bieber is expected to throw a side session today, another sign his return is close.

Manager John Schneider confirmed the plan, and it points toward a real timeline finally taking shape for Bieber's comeback.

He's been out since late August with right teres major inflammation, a stretch that's forced Toronto to patch together its rotation for weeks.

A side session is a meaningful checkpoint, the step that typically comes right before a return to live batting practice or an actual rehab outing.

If today goes well, Toronto could realistically have him back within the next week, a timeline that syncs up perfectly with the season's final stretch.

That's a much faster path than earlier expectations, when some had suggested his return might wait until the postseason if Toronto got there.

Why his return matters so much right now

Bieber had been arguably Toronto's best starter before the injury hit, riding a stretch that included some of the best outings of his season.

Getting him back into the rotation would ease the burden on a bullpen that's carried one of the heaviest workloads in baseball this year.

Toronto's rotation has absorbed injuries to Jose Berrios, Bowden Francis, Patrick Corbin, Jameson Taillon, and now had been missing Bieber too, leaving very little margin for further setbacks.

Trey Yesavage is also working through his own return timeline, meaning Toronto could realistically have two rotation pieces back within a similar window.

The Blue Jays remain deep in the wild-card race with a limited number of games left, making every returning arm carry real weight down the stretch.

Whether today's side session goes cleanly, and whether that translates into an actual activation within the week, is the next real checkpoint worth watching.