Blue Jays switch things up for Manoah, starting Jansen behind plate

May 20, 2023 - 5:21pm

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider gave an explanation as to why the team is starting Danny Jansen behind the plate with Alek Manoah instead of Alejandro Kirk, citing his recent form hitting while also trying to give Manoah a different look.

Blue Jays starter Alek Manoah will be throwing to a new catcher on Saturday, for a change.

Danny Jansen will be behind the plate when Manoah takes to the mound against the Baltimore Orioles (3:07 p.m. ET on Sportsnet and SN NOW), instead of the hurler's usual battery partner, Alejandro Kirk.

Kirk has been at the plate for 39 of Manoah's last 40 starts since the beginning of 2022, according to Sportsnet's Arden Zwelling, catching all but six of his 241.2 innings during that span.

Manoah, 25, is struggling this season, going 1-4 with a 5.40 ERA and 1.80 WHIP. This comes after posting a 16-6 record last season and finishing third in Cy Young Award voting for AL pitcher of the year.