Journey uncertain for Alek Manoah’s return to Toronto Blue Jays starting rotation
After a disappointing start to the regular season, pitcher Alek Manoah was demoted to the rookie-level Florida Complex League on June 6. However, his return to the Toronto Blue Jays starting rotation remains uncertain. According to Blue Jays manager John Schneider, Manoah has been making progress at the team’s training facility in Dunedin, Fla., but the decision to bring him back will be based on his readiness. Schneider emphasized the importance of focusing on issues like strike throwing, delivery, and pitches per inning. He stated, “There’s no real timeframe. Again, the whole thing is to do what’s best for him. Whenever that time is, is when it will be.”
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The Toronto Blue Jays’ Alek Manoah, 25, struggled in the season with a 1-7 record and a 6.36 ERA over 13 starts, leading to his demotion. According to Schneider, Manoah’s focus in his training has been on refining his delivery and improving strike accuracy. Schneider noted positive feedback in terms of progress from videos and reports. Manoah, the Blue Jays’ first-round pick in 2019, previously had an impressive rookie season with a 9-2 record and a 3.22 ERA. This was followed by a stellar performance last year, where he achieved a 16-7 record and a 2.24 ERA, finishing third in the American League Cy Young Award voting. However, his last start against the Houston Astros was disappointing, as he only lasted one-third of an inning and faced backlash from home fans. Despite this setback, Manoah recently pitched five innings in a simulated game, showing promise for his return to the rotation.
