Alek Manoah Set to Make MLB Return This Week

Alek Manoah will be back on a Major League Baseball mound this week. This news was first reported by Keegan Matheson who covers the Blue Jays for MLB.com.

The former Mountaineer will make his first start for Toronto since being sent down about a month ago this Friday against the Detroit Tigers. Manoah has struggled mightily this season after finishing third in the American League Cy Young race last year.

Prior to being sent to the Florida Complex League, Manoah posted a 6.36 ERA across 13 MLB starts. While he record a much better outing during his most recent minor league appearance, Manoah’s issues continued in his first start with Toronto’s rookie ball affiliate a week ago.

Just last year, Manoah took his career to another level. He finished third in the American League Cy Young race. In 2022, the 25-year-old carried a 2.24 ERA, a 0.99 WHIP and struck out 180 batters in 196.2 innings pitched. Manoah was named an All-Star and started Toronto’s Wild Card Round game.

First pitch for Manoah’s MLB return is scheduled for 6:40 pm EST at Detroit’s Comerica Park.

WVSN’s Griffin Floyd detailed possible factors that could be contributing to Manoah’s issues in the piece below.

Alek Manoah Shelled in Rookie Ball: Inside the Ace’s Struggles

Our Mike Asti also asked Schneider about Manoah after a game earlier in the season.