Blue Jays Send Alek Manoah Back to Minor-Leagues
For the second time this season, the Blue Jays have optioned Alek Manoah to the minors.
The Jays announced on Friday Manoah had been sent to Triple-A Buffalo after the starter allowed four runs in four innings against the Guardians on Thursday.
Manoah was first sent to the minors in early June after posting a 6.36 ERA in his first 13 starts of the season. The 23-year-old righty entered 2023 coming off a season where he finished second in American League Cy Young voting, but inconsistent mechanics and control issues caused him to be one of the worst pitchers in baseball to start the year.
After working in Toronto's development complex and pitching lab in June, and making two minor-league starts, the Jays recalled Manoah for a July 7th outing against the Tigers. In his six starts since rejoining the big leagues, Manoah posted a 4.91 ERA and 5.07 FIP. His fastball velocity and slider have looked better at times, but Manoah still walked 17 batters in 29.1 innings since rejoining the big leagues.
With Hyun Jin Ryu back with Toronto, the Blue Jays could afford to option Manoah back to the minors instead of maintaining a six-man rotation, especially during a stretch where the Jays have two off days next week. Ryu was hit in the knee in his last start but is expected to make his next outing on Sunday against the Cubs.
In place of Manoah on the 26-man roster, the Blue Jays have promoted 24-year-old reliever Hagen Danner. The righty has a 3.81 ERA in 28.1 Triple-A innings this season, striking out 11.1 batters per nine.
