The Toronto Blue Jays have designated former Cy Young finalist Alek Manoah for assignment, marking a stunning fall from grace for the right-hander who finished third in AL Cy Young voting just three years ago. The move clears a 40-man roster spot for Anthony Santander’s return from the injured list.
It’s an abrupt end to what once seemed like a promising partnership. Manoah, 27, was the Blue Jays’ 11th overall pick in 2019 and quickly became one of baseball’s most exciting young arms. His 2022 season was nothing short of spectacular – 196⅔ innings with a 2.24 ERA, an All-Star selection, and MVP consideration.
But baseball can be unforgiving, and Manoah’s story took a sharp turn. After struggling mightily in 2023 with a 5.87 ERA, he managed just five starts in 2024 before Tommy John surgery ended his season. He hasn’t pitched in the majors since.
The Numbers Tell a Troubling Story
General Manager Ross Atkins didn’t sugarcoat the decision. “These are always tough decisions,” he explained. “This just came down to a roster crunch and us feeling like it was the best decision for us. We chose others over him.”
The underlying statistics from Manoah’s Triple-A rehab assignment paint a concerning picture. While his 2.97 ERA across seven starts looks respectable, the deeper numbers reveal significant issues. His fastball velocity has dropped from 94 mph in his prime to just 91 mph, and he failed to throw a single pitch over 93 mph in his final three starts.
Even more troubling, Manoah’s strikeout rate (20.4%) and walk rate (12.2%) were both below average at the Triple-A level. For a pitcher who once dominated major league hitters, struggling to miss bats in the minors is a red flag that’s hard to ignore.
What’s Next for the Former Star?
Manoah will now go through the waiver process, where teams can claim him in reverse order of standings. The Colorado Rockies get first dibs, followed by the Chicago White Sox. Given his pedigree and remaining team control through 2027, there’s a good chance someone takes a flyer on the former ace.
Any claiming team would inherit his modest $2.2 million salary and could option him to Triple-A next season. It’s a low-risk, potentially high-reward situation for a rebuilding club willing to bet on a comeback story.
For Manoah, this represents a chance for a fresh start. Tommy John surgery often requires a lengthy recovery period, and some pitchers don’t fully return to form until their second season back. A new organization might provide the patience and development approach he needs to rediscover his dominant form.
The Blue Jays’ decision reflects the harsh realities of modern baseball. Even with Chris Bassitt, Shane Bieber, and Max Scherzer all set to become free agents, Toronto felt Manoah wasn’t worth keeping as organizational depth. That speaks volumes about how far his stock has fallen.
For fans who remember Manoah starting Game 1 of the 2022 Wild Card Series, this news stings. But baseball history is filled with comeback stories, and at 27, Manoah still has time to write a different ending to his career. Whether that happens in Toronto or elsewhere remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – his journey is far from over.
[SRC] https://www.crunchsports.com/category/baseball/blue-jays-designate-alek-manoah-for-assignment/
