TORONTO — Alek Manoah has not pitched for more than a month and it is becoming increasingly unlikely he will pitch again in a professional game at any level this season, according to a major-league source with knowledge of the situation. Sportsnet first reported the news on Monday.
This latest development likely concludes what has been a disappointing campaign for the 25-year-old pitcher. Manoah began this season as the Blue Jays’ Opening Day starter but performance struggles led to his being optioned to the minor leagues twice. In 19 starts with Toronto, Manoah had a 5.87 ERA and 1.740 WHIP.
Manoah’s last start for the Blue Jays was on Aug. 10 against the Cleveland Guardians. The right-hander allowed four runs on four hits in four innings with three walks and six strikeouts. The following day, he was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo when the Blue Jays transitioned from a six-man rotation to a five-man rotation.
Following his option, Manoah remained in Toronto for nearly two weeks. The club said he underwent physical testing to make sure he was healthy before reporting to the Buffalo Bisons. Manoah received a further physical evaluation last week at his request, a source said. Sportsnet reported the tests were to determine the severity of wear and tear on his knee, back and right quad. No structural damage was found.
Initially following his option, there had been a plan to ramp Manoah back up but given the fact that he hasn’t pitched for more than a month and there are only two weeks remaining in the Triple-A season, it’s likely Manoah will not compete again this season. The Blue Jays are operating as though Manoah would be unavailable to step in should an injury occur and they need another starter. Manoah was placed on the temporarily inactive list on Sept. 4.
The Athletic reached out to a representative for Manoah, but they offered no comment at this time.
In 2022, Manoah led the Blue Jays with a 2.24 ERA in 196 ⅔ innings pitched. He was an All-Star and finished third in Cy Young voting. But this season, he struggled from the beginning, especially with his command and pitch efficiency. He was optioned to the Florida Complex League — the lowest rung of the minors — on June 6. After a month of work at the team’s player development complex in Dunedin, Fla. and two starts in the minor leagues, he returned to the Blue Jays and made six starts before he was optioned to the minors again.
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