Latest news with #AlekManoah
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Blue Jays Provide Injury Update to All-Star Pitcher Alek Manoah on Monday
Blue Jays Provide Injury Update to All-Star Pitcher Alek Manoah on Monday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. While the Toronto Blue Jays continue to defend their top spot in the AL East, they were given some positive news on former All-Star pitcher Alek Manoah. Advertisement After undergoing Tommy John surgery for an elbow injury he sustained in a start against the Chicago White Sox back in May of 2024, Blue Jays insider Keegan Matheson reported that the 27-year-old has a chance of drawing his first rehab start in the coming days. "Alek Manoah is throwing to live hitters again tomorrow in Florida, simulating two innings. [John] Schneider says that after tomorrow, he'll either throw one more live session to his own hitters or move into his first rehab game. From there, a Spring Training-style ramp-up," Matheson posted to X. If Alek Manoah is able to return to his All-Star potential that Toronto saw from him in 2022, his presence in the pitching staff would only be great for the Blue Jays moving forward. Advertisement It seems as if Manoah is on pace for the Blue Jays' initial return timetable for him that is set for August, barring any setbacks in the rehab process. Before going down with his elbow injury early last season, Manoah was on pace for another solid season. Through five starts in 2024, Manoah had a 1-2 record, 3.70 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and tallied 26 strikeouts in 24.1 innings pitched. However his best season came in 2022, when he finished with a 16-7 record, 2.24 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and had 180 strikeouts in 196.2 innings pitched. Earning an All-Star bid in just his second season in the league. Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Alek ManoahDan Hamilton-Imagn Images With an MLB-leading eight-game win streak entering a series in which they travel to Chicago to take on the White Sox, the Blue Jays have been the hottest team in baseball in the month of July. Advertisement Toronto swept the then-AL East-leading New York Yankees to take over first place in the division, following that up with a three-game sweep over the Los Angeles Angels to begin the month. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Blue Jays Make Alek Manoah Announcement
Blue Jays Make Alek Manoah Announcement originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Toronto Blue Jays provided an update on right-hander Alek Manoah, who continues to make strides in his return from injury. Advertisement Per Keegan Matheson of Manoah threw 25 pitchers to live hitters and touched 95 mph. He's expected to throw two innings in his next session. "This is encouraging," Matheson wrote, "And while that Aug. 1 date everyone's circled for a return seems a little optimistic, Manoah has still nailed his rehab process and set himself up to return in 2025." May 27, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Alek Manoah (6) delivers a pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Guaranteed Rate Field. © Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Matheson added that if the Blue Jays need rotation help down the stretch, they're more likely to address it at the trade deadline, with Manoah positioned as the "next of line defense." He also drew a comparison to Hyun Jin Ryu's 2023 return, suggesting Manoah could similarly provide a late-season boost. Advertisement Still, the broader goal is setting up the former All-Star for long-term success. 'This is more about setting Manoah up for success in '26 and beyond,' Matheson noted, 'when he could be a key piece of this rotation once again.' Manoah, 27, underwent Tommy John surgery on June 18, 2024. He's dazzled at times in his career, earning an All-Star nod in 2022 and finishing third in AL Cy Young voting after posting a 2.24 ERA with 180 strikeouts over 196 2/3 innings. Since then, however, he's struggled to recapture that dominance, pitching to a 5.40 ERA across 111 2/3 innings (24 starts) over the past two seasons. Related: Alejandro Kirk Predicted to Make Blue Jays History This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Blue Jays Receive Alek Manoah News After Cardinals Game
Blue Jays Receive Alek Manoah News After Cardinals Game originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Toronto Blue Jays have defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in each of their first two games of their three-game series and are aiming to complete the series sweep on Wednesday. Advertisement Toronto recently jumped past the Tampa Bay Rays for the second-place spot in the AL East standings. Additionally, they are just four games behind the New York Yankees for the division lead. Despite the Blue Jays' overall success this season, they have dealt with numerous injuries and absences. This includes starting pitcher Alek Manoah, who has not taken the mound since May 29, 2024, after undergoing Tommy John surgery. After the Blue Jays' win over the Cardinals on Tuesday, the team received news regarding the 27-year-old that provides a major update on his recovery. Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Alek Manoah (6).Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images Though the Blue Jays are among the top teams in the AL East, their pitching has been rocky all season. Getting Manoah back on the mound should provide them a big boost and provide a bit more consistency in the rotation. Fortunately for them, it seems that he is making good progress in his recovery. Advertisement According to The Athletic's Mitch Bannon, Manoah faced live hitters on Wednesday for the first time since undergoing surgery on his elbow. Additionally, Bannon said the session "went well." "Alek Manoah faced live hitters today in Florida (including Daulton Varsho) for the first time since Tommy John surgery. It 'went well,'" Bannon wrote on X. "Big step as he approaches a late-season return #BlueJays" The Florida native is just three years removed from his All-Star campaign in 2022, when he also finished third in the AL Cy Young Award voting. Manoah has struggled to stay healthy since, but he should provide a big boost to the Blue Jays once he makes his return. Advertisement Related: Blue Jays Announce Move for Former Phillies Pitcher Related: Blue Jays' John Schneider Announces Max Scherzer News Before Cardinals Game This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Blue Jays Drop Sudden Alek Manoah News on Friday
Blue Jays Drop Sudden Alek Manoah News on Friday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. After winning six of their last seven games at home, the Toronto Blue Jays open up a nine-game road trip on Friday, kicking off against the Minnesota Twins. Advertisement Despite some tough injury luck to start the season, Toronto (33-29) is holding up in the competitive AL East, currently 5.5 games back of the division-leading New York Yankees. On Friday morning, the team revealed some good news on a pair of pitchers recovering from major injuries, as reported by The Athletic's Mitch Bannon. Perhaps the most exciting was a sudden update on former first-round pick Alek Manoah, who hasn't pitched live in a year. Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Alek Manoah (6) in the Hamilton-Imagn Images According to Bannon, the 27-year-old Manoah is "expected to face live hitters for the first time" on Tuesday since undergoing a hybrid internal brace procedure in June 2024. Advertisement Manoah has experienced a roller coaster beginning to his MLB career after making the All-Star team and finishing third in AL Cy Young award voting in 2022. The next season was not good to him or Toronto after posting a 5.87 ERA and 3-9 record over 19 starts and 87 1/3 innings. However, he gave fans a glimmer of hope to start last season with a 3.70 ERA in five starts before his elbow injury sidelined him long term. Another fellow first-round draft pick also recovering from Tommy John surgery, Brandon Barriera, is farther ahead in his rehabilitation. As for his next step, he'll soon be joining the Florida Complex League (FCL) on a rehab assignment, per Bannon. Barriera, 21, hasn't pitched since last April. Related: Braves Announce Trade With Orioles After Craig Kimbrel News Related: Rangers Predicted to Make Shortstop Move After Corey Seager News This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Times
25-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Blue Jays pitching notes: Alek Manoah, replacing Yimi García, Jeff Hoffman's command
TAMPA, Fla. — It was all about the arms before the Toronto Blue Jays took the field in Tampa Bay. José Berríos allowed three earned runs in Toronto's 3-1 loss to the Rays on Saturday, but the chatter centered on pitchers who didn't appear on the mound and won't for a while. From navigating life without Yimi García to picturing a future with Alek Manoah, here are three notes on the state of Toronto's pitching. Advertisement Manoah wrapped his arms around Blue Jays manager John Schneider a few minutes before Friday's first pitch at George M. Steinbrenner Field. With Manoah working at Toronto's player development complex in Florida as he recovers from June 2024 Tommy John surgery, the righty's presence in the Blue Jays dugout was unfamiliar but welcome. 'Just energy and a big body,' Schneider said. 'You know, just a guy to kind of be aware of where he's at, so you don't get knocked over.' The starting pitcher then slid to the dugout's top step, a spot the Jays hope he'll regularly stand later this season. Manoah is past his elbow's healing process and starting to check boxes for a return. He's throwing two bullpens a week and has recently pushed past 40 pitches. Right now, the righty's working on feel for his pitches, command around the zone, simulating plate appearances and pitch sequencing. The Jays hope Manoah can be an MLB option in early August, though Tommy John timelines often change. The question is what that reinforcement version of Manoah looks like. The 27-year-old appeared stable in five 2024 starts before injury, rocking a 3.70 ERA, but his disastrous 2023 still lingers. Manoah battled his mechanics during that tumultuous season but feels more in tune with his delivery amid his lengthy recovery from elbow surgery. 'That's the biggest thing,' Manoah said. 'Being able to learn that feel and being able to just build that indestructible base of just learning my stuff, learning the way my body moves.' When he's back, Manoah's key will be command — it's what he lost in 2023, walking more than six batters per nine innings, and it's often the last facet to return after Tommy John recovery. In Manoah's 2022 All-Star season, he threw 66 percent strikes. During the 2023 campaign that saw him optioned to the minors, that rate dropped 5 percentage points to 61 percent. Advertisement If Manoah keeps down the walks and wild pitches, he can help Toronto down the stretch — as long as the rotation holds until then. For a Blue Jays team that's already used five pitchers to fill an ever-changing fifth rotation spot, any pitching depth, even if it's two months away, is valued. 'Being able to just help in any way is kind of what I'm focused on,' Manoah said. 'You know, I want to get back out there. I want to be healthy. I want to be great.' The Blue Jays have walked a clear bullpen path for close games this season — García, Brendon Little and Jeff Hoffman. Others have stepped in at times, but only those three have faced more than 15 batters in high-leverage situations. The Jays have to find new options in the late innings with García heading to the injured list with right shoulder impingement on Saturday. It's an issue García navigated for the 'last handful of weeks,' Schneider said, and he'll return to see team doctors in Toronto to establish a recovery timeline. Yariel Rodríguez is an obvious choice to step up, riding eight straight scoreless appearances, and Chad Green has late-game experience. But this could be a shot for Mason Fluharty. The rookie left-hander has just 2 1/3 innings of high-leverage work this season, but he's allowed a batting average under .175 to both left- and right-handed hitters. Early in his minor-league career, Fluharty struggled against righty bats, but his cutter has become a weapon against the other side of the platoon. He's using it nearly 70 percent of the time against right-handers this year, inducing a .091 batting average and .244 expected weighted on-base average against opposite-handed hitters. With his stuff playing against both sides, Fluharty has earned bigger moments. Advertisement On the surface, Hoffman's 6.04 ERA and three blown saves in his last seven appearances are concerning. But Schneider says he's unworried, Hoffman claims he's fine and the numbers suggest they're right. 'Just in talking with him, he's in a good spot,' Schneider said. 'I think that, you know, the life of a reliever and a high-leverage reliever is bumpy.' Hoffman is striking out a career-high 13.7 batters per nine and allowing walks at a nearly identical rate to 2024. The issue is an inflated homer total, allowing five long balls in his first 22.1 innings. Everything suggests that will change. Nearly 30 percent of Hoffman's fly balls have left the ballpark. In the past three years, his rate of home runs per fly ball was 6.8 percent, and the league average rests at 8.5 percent. There's a lot of room for normalization there. Hoffman has missed his spots at times this year, leading to damage, but his control has improved in 2025. In his All-Star season last year, 39 percent of Hoffman's pitches landed within one ball width of the strike zone's edge. This year, he's sitting at 43 percent in the shadow of the zone. His percentage of pitches down the middle remains the same as in 2024. The ERA is high, and the blown saves hurt, but Schneider and Hoffman seem correct to preach calm in the closer role. (Top photo of José Berríos: Mark Taylor / Getty Images)
