Blue Jays could soon face All-Star whom they cut last September

The Toronto Blue Jays abruptly let go of pitcher Alek Manoah last September. The right-hander was only three years removed from pitching for the American League All-Star team and finishing third in Cy Young voting.

Manoah quickly latched on with the Atlanta Braves but did not appear in a game. He signed a free agent contract with the Los Angeles Angels in December 2025, but hasn’t appeared in a game for them either. The Angels placed Manoah on the injured list in March with a right middle finger contusion.

The Jays could see Manoah again soon enough. The Angels activated him from the injured list ahead of their May 6 game against the Chicago White Sox. Next up: a three-game series in Toronto against Manoah’s former team starting May 8.

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A starting pitcher in Toronto from 2021-24, Manoah was listed as active out of the bullpen for the Angels’ game against the White Sox.

The return to Toronto could be a “revenge series” for Manoah, but the 28-year-old right-hander effectively pitched himself off the Blue Jays’ roster.

In 2022, Manoah was one of the best pitchers in baseball. He went 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA as a 24-year-old, finishing third in the AL in wins and ERA.

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But the following year saw Manoah battle injuries and go 3-9 with a 5.87 ERA in 19 starts when healthy. He finished the season at Triple-A.

Manoah made only five MLB starts and five more in the minors in 2024, limited by injuries to his right shoulder and elbow. In June of that year, he had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.

The recovery from surgery stretched into 2025, limiting Manoah to 10 starts in the minors. Manoah had a 2.97 ERA in seven Triple-A starts, but the Blue Jays had moved on without him. They reached the World Series for the first time since 1993.