BALTIMORE — Alek Manoah is slated to join the Buffalo Bisons, the Toronto Blue Jays‘ triple-A affiliate, in Syracuse Thursday after undergoing a wide range of medical tests in Toronto over the last couple weeks, according to industry sources.
Quad and back soreness led to the testing, but did not reveal major structural issues, the sources said. Now, Manoah will begin the process of building back up toward game readiness.
Because it’s been two weeks since the 25-year-old last pitched, he’ll require some time to get built back up to the point that he could cover significant innings at the big-league level. While the Blue Jays have a full five-man rotation performing well, team decision-makers still want Manoah available as additional depth. In the meantime, Bowden Francis or Trevor Richards would be more likely to start if an opening emerged.
Manoah last pitched on Aug. 10, when he allowed four runs on four hits in four innings to the Cleveland Guardians while striking out six and walking three. The next day, the Blue Jays optioned the 25-year-old to triple-A Buffalo, but he didn’t report right away as he was about to undergo testing in Toronto and it wasn’t yet clear whether a stint on the injured list would be required.
In the two weeks since, it’s been determined that he’s healthy enough to join the Blue Jays’ triple-A team and prepare in case he’s needed down the stretch. One source described Manoah as eager to contribute if called upon.
In 2022, the right-hander finished third in American League Cy Young voting, with a 2.24 ERA in 196.2 innings during his first full season. But early-season struggles in 2023 led to a demotion to the Florida Complex League on June 6.
After a month of work behind the scenes, Manoah returned to the big-leagues on July 7, when he impressed in Detroit against the Tigers. By then, he had missed about a month of service time, likely costing him super two eligibility and a chance at four trips through arbitration.
In six total starts back in the majors, he posted a 4.91 ERA and was ousted from the rotation soon after Hyun Jin Ryu returned.
Before Tuesday’s game, Blue Jays manager John Schneider said the team was working with Manoah to determine the next steps.
“It’s kind of both of us working through it to figure out what’s just best for him to get back and be productive,” the manager said. “So yeah, a joint thing and just taking it day by day.”
