It’s been over a year since Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Alek Manoha has toed the rubber and threw a competitive pitch.
Manoah, who was drafted in 2019 by the Blue Jays got off to a strong start in his major league career as he opened eyes around the league by going 9-2 with a 3.22 ERA and 127 strikeouts in his rookie campaign which was followed a year later by an even better season which in his second campaign saw him go 16-7 with a 2.224 ERA.
This rising superstar, who finished third that season in CY Young Award voting, was looked upon as being the next dominant No. 1 Jays starter until inconsistency and injuries hampered what was the beginnings to a promising career.
Manoah Begins to Slump; Sent to Minor League
Suddenly, in his third season, the 27-year old struggled badly and in late June after a disastrous start at Rogers Centre where he surrendered six runs in one inning against the Houston Astros. Manoah was then demoted to the Florida Complex League. The rest of 2023 proved to be a real struggle for Manoha who after being recalled for a couple of starts refused an August 10th demotion to the Triple A Buffalo Bisons. Eventually his season ended when he was shut down in September.
Manoah Undergoes Tommy John Surgery and Out for 12-14 Months
Thing got even worse for Manoah, the following year when in a season which saw him pitch in both the minors and majors, he received some devastating news when in early June it was made official by Jays management that the big righty would undergo Tommy John surgery. He had the procedure on June 17 and the prognosis was that he would miss between 12-14 months of action. Suddenly, this can’t miss future Blue Jays ace’s career was put on hold and was full of question marks.
Manoah Optimistic After First Rehab Start
After months of going through the peaks and valleys of rehabbing, that breakthrough moment finally came when on Monday, July 14th, 411 days after last throwing a competitive pitch from the mound, Manoah took the hill for that much anticipated first rehab outing which came in the rookie-level Florida Complex league.
Since March, Manoha has been throwing off the mound so this was obviously a huge step forward in his quest to resume his career with the Jays.
“Just want to see him get out there, get hot, and go through his normal routine,” Jays manager John Schneider said prior to the all-star break. “(I) have no care whatsoever about results.”
The positive news for the Jays was that Manoah threw his fastball faster at 94.2 m.p.h. than he did before the surgery when he was averaging 93.3 m.p.h.
In an outing which saw the 6’6″ 285-pound righthander battle control he ended up throwing only 22 pitches to five batters and surrendered two walks, a single and hit a batter. He only got one out and threw in total only 10 strikes.
Following his first rehab start which saw Manoha throwing the changeup, slider and sinker he expressed his excitement by what he wrote in his twitter account.
“Man felt so great to be back out there, here the National Anthems and toe that rubber. 392 days,” he said. “Thank you Jesus! Been a long journey, look forward to continuing to get better, have fun and COMPETE everyday.”
Right now, Manoah has a long-ways to go in his 30-day rehab assignment and speculation is that he could be back sometime in late August. For now, the plan is five to six rehab starts.
Manoah Looking to Get Back with Jays for Stretch Run
In a perfect world for Manoah along with Blue Jays fans and management, he would return for the stretch run and by dominating would prove to be a key factor in Toronto winning American League East division and making a serious playoff charge.
Right now, Blue Jays management have to be excited to learn that Manoah was pain-free which at this stage is most important.
Main Image: © Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
