Alek Manoah Talks Rehab Journey, Current Mindset as He Pursues MLB Comeback

What’s going on with Alek Manoah? After a breakout 2022 season that saw the former WVU ace garner votes for the American League Cy Young Award, Manoah fell off the MLB map the following season and has battled injuries ever since.

As Manoah is trying to resurrect his career, he spoke with Keegan Matheson of MLB.com to discuss his rehab journey and offer insight into his current mentality.

“I want to be healthy. I want to be great,” said Manoah about his mindset. “That’s the way I’m going to be able to help this team down the stretch. That’s my biggest motivation for those last however many games.”

But in reality, Manoah is almost a full year removed from his last MLB start and it’s now been several year since he’s shown an ability to have a positive impact on the mound, let alone be the dominant force he was in college or early in his career with the Blue Jays.

And after some past reports suggested a rift between Manoah and the Toronto franchise, it now sounds as if he’s in different headspace today and the drama is in the past.

Report: Alek Manoah Refused Triple-A Assignment, Unlikely to Pitch Again This Season

Schneider even told Matheson about an interaction with Manoah when he was around the team during their recent series in Florida against the Rays.

“He gave me a big ol’ hug,” Schneider said. “I didn’t really run into him until he walked into the dugout at 6:45. He’s energy and a big body, a guy that you have to be aware of where he’s at so you don’t get knocked over. It was awesome to see him. He’s just such an infectious personality and the big ol’ bear hug was nice,” added Schneider.

Schneider also noted he’s starting to see the fire back in Manoah’s eye and believes he has the right attitude to get back to his old form, even referencing his time as a college baseball stud as a Mountaineer.

“He’s the same way on the days he pitches. He’s top-stepping it, he’s Johnny Rah-Rah like he’s still at West Virginia,” Schneider said.

“He’s into every pitch. He’s the stark contrast to Max Scherzer or Bowden Francis where they come in and are sitting there doing their own thing. He’s got the towel wrapped on playing cheerleader on the top step. It’s good to have him back.”

However, there’s reason for concern and to seriously wonder what type for pitcher Manoah will be upon his return.

WVSN photo by David Hague

Manoah first burst on the MLB scene in 2021, going 9-2 with a 3.22 ERA and finish in the top 10 for the American League Rookie of the Year. He then recoded a 16-7 season with 2.24 ERA and 180 strikeouts in 196.2 innings in 2022, a season that saw Manoah become an All-Star, start a postseason game and contend for the Cy Young Award. Manoah eventually started making Blue Jays history, most notably when he became the fastest pitcher to reach 400 strikeouts.

After his remarkable 2022 season, Manoah has struggled mightily and has only produced a combined 4-11 record in 24 starts while carrying ERAs of 5.87 and 3.70, respectively.

The hope is that Manoah’s 2022 season doesn’t simply go down as an aberration and he can show his true potential at the MLB level once again. Of course, getting fully healthy is the first step, but all signs are pointing to the possibility of Manoah being ready to give it another shot sooner than later. And fortunately for the former All-Star, the Blue Jays are still invested in him as well.

Find more coverage of Alek Manoah at WV Sports Now.