Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins remains optimistic about struggling starter Alek Manoah bouncing back with the major-league club this year despite a rocky first outing in the Florida Complex League on Tuesday.
Atkins told reporters he "absolutely" expects Manoah to pitch in the majors again this year. He will throw a bullpen session on Friday before the club determines a next step.
Appearing on Blair & Barker on Wednesday, Atkins said there were positives in Manoah's outing on Tuesday.
"When I first saw the line my disappointment is immediately focused on Alek and thinking did we put him in a less than ideal situation and I hope he's handling that fine. That was my first reaction," Atkins said of Manoah, who gave up 11 runs on 10 hits in 2.2 innings against a New York Yankees affiliate.
"Then I saw the details behind the outing. I saw a 71-per-cent strike rate, which is what we've been focused on. I saw an uptick in velo. So he's throwing the ball over, he's throwing the ball harder, he has an uptick in his tempo, the delivery goals he's checking every box on. Those are the things we wanted to see.
"The outcome, we would rather he gone six and done whatever in his line but he was comfortable in progress he made, and as we were able to see the progress in that outing, we were as well."
The Blue Jays' opening-day starter is 1-7 with a 6.36 ERA with Toronto this season.
"Alek is someone we believe in," Atkins said. "We believe he potentially could have stayed here and made progress he's making now here in the major leagues. But at the time (of his demotion earlier this month), we felt the reset would help him. Getting in the lab, we have now learned has really helped him."
Atkins wants to see Manoah throwing strikes consistently with all three of his pitches before he returns to the majors.
"I am optimistic the fans are going to see a positive trend. I'm obviously intensely biased by my belief in not only Alek's resolve but also his talent."
The Blue Jays have been criticized for a lack of depth in starting pitching. The club was set for a bullpen game on Wednesday for the third time since Manoah's demotion.
"One of the more difficult things to acquire in the game, other than superstar talent ... is depth of that calibre that could be in triple-A for you — someone that could come in and serve as a No. 3 starter for a major-league team on option in triple-A," Atkins said.
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