Blue Jays' Alek Manoah: Sharp in final spring start
Rotowire
Manoah allowed one run on three hits and two walks over six-plus innings while striking out six in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.
Facing a Philly lineup lacking its biggest names, Manoah tossed 80 pitches (53 strikes) and cruised through six scoreless frames before watching a runner he left behind cross the plate in the seventh. The right-hander will look to build on a 2022 campaign that saw him post an outstanding 2.24 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in 196.2 innings. He's set for an Opening Day assignment against the Cardinals.
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Blue Jays' Alek Manoah: Set for Opening Day start
Rotowire
Manoah will start for the Blue Jays on Opening Day in St. Louis, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Kevin Gausman also would've been a fine choice, but the Jays will go with their young workhorse. Manoah had a fantastic first full season in the majors in 2022, holding a 2.24 ERA over 31 outings.
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Blue Jays' Alek Manoah: Looks ready for Opening Day
Rotowire
Manoah gave up one run on five hits and a walk over six innings while striking out four in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.
Tampa Bay's run in the third inning was the only one of the game, as Manoah found himself in a spring pitcher's duel with Drew Rasmussen. Manoah tossed 71 pitches (50 strikes) and appears ready for Opening Day after turning in a 15:6 K:BB through 14.1 frames this spring while not allowing a homer.
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Blue Jays' Alek Manoah: Fights control in spring start
Rotowire
Manoah allowed three runs on two hits and four walks over 3.1 innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox. He struck out five.
The right-hander had trouble finding the plate but still got stretched out to 67 pitches, with 40 of them going for strikes. Manoah came into Monday's start with one walk in five innings this spring, so the performance can be chalked up to just one of those days. He otherwise appears on track for the regular season -- Manoah has struck out out 11 batters in 8.1 frames in camp and has yet to serve up a homer.
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Blue Jays' Alek Manoah: Starting Friday's wild-card matchup
Rotowire
Manoah will start Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Mariners on Friday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.
The Blue Jays opted against using Manoah as a starter on the final day of the regular season Wednesday, and the right-hander will instead take the mound for the Blue Jays' first postseason game of the year. Manoah was dominant over six starts in September, posting a 0.88 ERA and 0.85 WHIP in 41 innings.
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Blue Jays' Alek Manoah: Unlikely to start Wednesday
Rotowire
Manoah is unlikely to pitch the final game of the regular season Wednesday in Baltimore, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.
While Manoah is on turn, Yusei Kikuchi is the likely starter in what would amount to a bullpen game. The Jays will likely save Manoah, who is fifth in the majors with 196.2 innings, for what they hope is a long postseason run.
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Blue Jays' Alek Manoah: Seven shut-down innings
Rotowire
Manoah (15-7) earned the win Saturday without allowing a run on four hits and two walks over seven innings against the Rays. He struck out eight.
Manoah allowed just two extra-base hits in the form of doubles from Randy Arozarena and Francisco Mejia. The righty has been outstanding in his last seven starts, recording a 1.13 ERA and 0.90 WHIP over 48 innings. In addition, the 24-year-old has not allowed a home run in eight of his last 10 games.
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Blue Jays' Alek Manoah: Effective in no-decision
Rotowire
Manoah allowed a run on four hits and four walks while striking out five in six innings in a 5-4 loss Sunday against Baltimore. He did not factor into the decision.
Manoah wasn't at his best Sunday but he navigated trouble to keep Toronto in a position to win. Three consecutive hits in the fourth inning led to the lone run but he settled down after that, retiring eight of the last nine batters he faced. The former West Virginia Mountaineer has allowed two runs or fewer in each of his last six starts, compiling a 1.32 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 37:12 K:BB in 41 innings in that span. His next start will likely be next weekend in Tampa Bay.
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Blue Jays' Alek Manoah: Recovered, starting Game 2
Rotowire
Manoah (illness) will start Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Rays with no restrictions, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.
He was originally scheduled to start Game 1 but was scratched with a stomach bug. Manoah should be deployed as usual for the nightcap.
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Blue Jays' Alek Manoah: Dealing with illness
Rotowire
Manoah is dealing with an illness, according to Hazel Mae of Sportsnet, and will not start the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Rays.
Manoah was expected to take the ball in the first game of Tuesday's twin bill, but his illness will prevent him from doing so, and Julian Merryweather will open the game instead. Manoah is receiving treatment, and there remains a chance he could start the second contest on Tuesday's schedule.
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Blue Jays' Alek Manoah: Allows no runs in seven innings
Rotowire
Manoah (13-7) earned the win against the Pirates on Friday, allowing no runs on five hits while striking out six and walking one over 7.1 innings.
Manoah pitched another gem Friday, keeping the Pirates off the scoreboard while striking out six of them. He threw 64 of 98 pitches for strikes across seven frames, stranding six baserunners. This was Manoah's first win since Aug. 4 but his third quality start in a row. The righty is up to 20 quality starts this season. He will take a 2.48 ERA into his next appearance.
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Blue Jays' Alek Manoah: Good performance despite loss
Rotowire
Manoah (12-7) took the loss Saturday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over seven innings against the Angels. He struck out eight.
Manoah allowed just one extra-base hit in the form of a double from Ryan Aguilar and later surrendered an RBI single to shortstop Luis Rengifo in the sixth to break the scoreless deadlock. In his last eight starts, the righty has recorded five quality starts and 50 strikeouts over 48 innings. In addition, Manoah has not allowed a home run in four of his last five starts.
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Blue Jays' Alek Manoah: Strikes out eight Sunday
Rotowire
Manoah allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out eight in six innings during Sunday's loss to the Yankees. He didn't factor into the decision.
Manoah was in line for the loss when he exited Sunday's matchup, but he was able to settle for the no-decision since the Blue Jays tied the game in the top of the seventh inning. The right-hander has been less sharp than usual over his last five starts, posting a 4.50 ERA in 28 innings while picking up just one win over that stretch. He projects to make his next start at home against the Angels on Saturday.
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Blue Jays' Alek Manoah: Throws five innings in no-decision
Rotowire
Manoah did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing three runs on eight hits and one walk over five innings in a 6-5 loss to the Orioles. He struck out five.
Toronto's ace got off to a rocky start, surrendering two runs in the first inning and proceeding to allow one more run to score in the third. While he was unable to record the quality start, Manoah was able to get through five innings for the 22nd time this season despite not being at his best. He'll look to get the better of the Orioles in his next scheduled start next week.
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Blue Jays' Alek Manoah: Shaky control in win
Rotowire
Manoah (12-5) allowed two runs on two hits, four walks and a hit batter while striking out five across six innings to earn the win Thursday over the Twins.
Manoah matched his season high with the four walks, but he was able to keep the ball in the yard for just the second time in his last eight starts. The Blue Jays' offense made sure he left with a lead by rallying for three runs in the sixth inning. The 24-year-old right-hander has quality starts in four of his last five outings, and he owns a sharp 2.45 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 119:30 K:BB across 132 innings in 21 starts overall. Manoah is on track for a road start in Baltimore next week.
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Blue Jays' Alek Manoah: Cleared to start Thursday
Rotowire
Manoah (elbow) has been cleared to make his next start Thursday in Minnesota, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Though Manoah exited his most recent start Friday against the Tigers early after being struck on the elbow with a comebacker, he avoided a significant injury and escaped with just a bruise on his pitching arm. The 24-year-old was apparently able to complete his between-starts bullpen session without any discomfort, so he should be in line for a normal workload Thursday when he takes the hill for the 21st time this season.
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Blue Jays' Alek Manoah: Looks on track for next start
Rotowire
Blue Jays interim manager John Schneider said Sunday that Manoah (elbow) is line to make his next turn through the rotation, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.
Manoah was fortunate to avoid anything more than a bruise after he was struck in his pitching elbow by a comebacker in his last outing Friday against the Tigers. He played catch Sunday and could be cleared to throw a side session Monday or Tuesday. If all goes well during the mound session, Manoah would be available to start as soon as Thursday's series opener in Minnesota. Due to an off day Monday, the Blue Jays would have the luxury of pushing Manoah's next start until Saturday if he needs a couple extra days to heal up.
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Blue Jays' Alek Manoah: Feeling better Saturday
Rotowire
Manoah (elbow) is feeling better Saturday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Manoah exited Friday's game against the Tigers with a right elbow contusion after being struck by a comebacker, but he underwent X-rays that came back negative. He'll rest for a few days before throwing a side session, and while the Blue Jays hope he won't need to miss a turn through the rotation, his availability for his next start will likely be determined based on how he feels after his upcoming throwing session.
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Blue Jays' Alek Manoah: X-rays negative, has contusion
Rotowire
Manoah left Friday's game against the Tigers with a right elbow contusion.
Precautionary X-rays came back negative, and the Jays have Monday off, so Manoah could get a week to rest up before taking the ball again. He was hit in the right elbow by a comebacker off the bat of Jonathan Schoop and exited after giving up four runs in 5.1 innings.
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Blue Jays' Alek Manoah: Exits after comebacker hits arm
Rotowire
Manoah was hit on the right elbow by a comebacker off the bat of Jonathan Schoop and exited Friday's game after 5.1 innings with the trainer, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
McCosky says Manoah was in considerable pain as he exited the game. The big righty gave up four runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out four in 5.1 innings. He will presumably have tests done on his arm to determine the exact injury.
