After an impressive triple-A rehab outing on Tuesday, there have been questions about whether right-hander Alek Manoah is ready to return to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Manager John Schneider said that while the 26-year-old impressed in his Buffalo start, they haven't yet made a decision on who will take to the mound on Sunday, given the injury to rookie starter Yariel Rodriguez, but haven't ruled out Manoah as a possibility.
"Really good outing, kind of exactly what we're looking for," Schneider said of Manoah's start with Buffalo. "His stuff has been there, so I think just strike-throwing, all that kind of stuff. ... Checked a lot of boxes last night, for sure.
"I think, seeing where he is today, for one, and seeing how the four other starters that are here, how they're doing and if we can be strategic with off days. Sorting through that today, hopefully we can have a decision in the next 24 hours."
Manoah has been rehabbing in the minor leagues to start the 2024 season after sustaining a shoulder injury in spring training. With Rodriguez's injury landing him on the 15-day IL, an opportunity has opened for Manoah to return to the big leagues as his 30-day rehab window closes on May 6.
No official call-up has been made for Manoah as of yet.
The former All-Star has struggled since his 2022 Cy Young-calibre campaign. Named the 2023 Opening Day starter, Manoah was designated for assignment in early June of that year. He bounced between the MLB and the minor leagues for the remainder of the year, ultimately finishing with a 5.87 ERA in 87.1 innings pitched.
In four starts for triple-A Buffalo this year, Manoah has a 6.50 ERA in 18 innings, while striking out 26.
COMMENTS
When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.