Alek Manoah, a former American League Cy Young finalist, is attempting to turn around his terrible 2023 season and get back on track with the Toronto Blue Jays. Despite being the front-runner for the fifth starting place going into camp, he struggled in his spring debut and is currently out with a shoulder ailment.
Alek Manoah has experienced a setback with his shoulder as he attempts to get back on track with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Per Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet:
Alek Manoah will not start for the Blue Jays tomorrow because he experienced some stiffness in his right shoulder following yesterday’s bullpen session. Jays hopes the necessary downtime is brief and there is no structural damage, per mgr. Schneider John
While the absence of long-term issues is undoubtedly good news, any setback is concerning for a guy who has to have a successful spring in order to maintain his No. 5 position in the rotation.
After a dreadful 2023 season, Manoah entered camp holding a precarious No. 5 place. However, he struggled terribly in his spring start, hitting three batters and giving up four earned runs in 1.2 innings.
After starting the Blue Jays’ opening playoff game, the 26-year-old finished 3-9 in 2023 with a 5.87 ERA and struck out just 79 batters in 87.1 innings. He was also sent to the minor leagues more than once.
Concerns were raised regarding his level of fitness and his incapacity to get used to the new pitch clock. Although he looked to be in much better form going into this season, the soreness in his arm has persisted.
Having said that, you can see why Toronto didn’t want to move him cheap this offseason or even at all because he is still a young player and is under team control through 2027. In2022, he had a 2.24 ERA and a 16-7 record. He was voted third in the American League Cy Young voting and was an All-Star.
Yusei Kikuchi, Chris Bassitt, Jose Berrios, and Kevin Gausman should already be in the Blue Jays’ rotation. Though he’s been plagued by back spasms early in camp, newly signed Yariel Rodriguez is an alternative if Manoah continues to struggle if this issue persists.
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