Blue Jays’ Alek Manoah Set to Return to the Mound After Demotion
CHICAGO — Alek Manoah is making his way back to the Toronto Blue Jays sooner than anticipated. After struggling through the early part of the 2023 season, the young pitcher was sent back to the team’s complex in an effort to address his performance issues. In the past month, Manoah has been working diligently to regain his form and will now have the opportunity to contribute to the team once again.
Manager John Schneider explained that there was no specific timeline for Manoah’s return, stating, “We said from Day 1 that he’ll tell us when he’s ready with the work that he’s doing.” The team wanted him to focus on the areas he was working on during his time in the complex. Schneider added, “He’s a big part of our team both this year and going forward. If we feel like he’s ready to come back and contribute, we’re going to go ahead and pull the trigger.”
The decision to send Manoah back to the complex, rather than Triple-A, highlighted the severity of his struggles. The drop-off in performance has been quite dramatic for the ace pitcher, who finished third in the AL Cy Young Award voting just last year. However, the Blue Jays remain optimistic about his potential and believe that with the right adjustments, he can regain his previous form.
During his time in the complex, Manoah utilized the Blue Jays’ advanced pitching lab, a state-of-the-art facility designed to provide players with extensive data analysis. Working with younger prospects in developing their pitches and velocity, the lab proved successful and was seen as a valuable resource for Manoah’s comeback.
However, his initial game back in the Florida Complex League did not go as planned. Facing mostly 18-19-year-old hitters, Manoah allowed 11 runs on 10 hits in just 2 2/3 innings. Despite the disappointing box score, both Schneider and GM Ross Atkins expressed their confidence in Manoah’s progress and decided to move him up to Double-A New Hampshire for his next start.
The second chance for Manoah proved fruitful, as he struck out 10 batters over five innings and only allowed one run. His performance reflected the increased confidence he gained as the game progressed. Manoah’s improved confidence on the mound will be crucial for his success moving forward, as it will help him overcome the struggles he faced earlier this year.
Schneider commended Manoah’s mechanical adjustments, stating, “A minor tweak mechanically and we like what we see comparing last year to now, opposed to the beginning of this year.” The manager also emphasized the importance of both advanced metrics and the eye test when assessing Manoah’s progress.
With Hyun Jin Ryu working his way back from Tommy John surgery and the team lacking a solid sixth starter, the Blue Jays are in need of a reliable option on the mound. Despite turning to bullpen games as a temporary solution, the team understands that a long-term starter is necessary for sustained success.
Manoah’s potential return to the Blue Jays’ starting rotation could come as early as this Friday in Detroit. Facing a struggling Tigers team, currently ranked 28th in MLB with a .670 team OPS, the matchup presents an opportunity for Manoah to make an impactful return to the mound.
If all goes according to plan, Manoah’s comeback story will undoubtedly be the highlight of the Blue Jays’ season. With a record of 45-40, the team is in dire need of a spark to boost their performance. Manoah has the potential to provide exactly that, and his rediscovery of his 2022 form will be a game-changer for the team.
As the Blue Jays continue their push for success, all eyes will be on Manoah as he takes the mound once again. His return could mark a turning point for the team and reignite their hopes of a successful season.