The Toronto Blue Jays made the surprising decision on Tuesday to designate right-hander Alek Manoah for assignment to make room for Anthony Santander on the 40-man roster. Manoah, renowned for his impressive third-place finish in the 2022 American League Cy Young voting, faces an uncertain future as rival teams can potentially claim him. If he goes unclaimed, Manoah would have the option to elect free agency.
Blue Jays’ general manager Ross Atkins acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, attributing it to a roster crunch and a strategic choice to prioritize different players during a crucial time for the team. Manoah, who has been rehabilitating from Tommy John surgery, had shown promising results at triple-A Buffalo with a 2.97 ERA in 33.1 innings. Despite respectable performances, the team opted to extend his rehab stint, suggesting hesitations about his readiness for Major League Baseball.
Mechanically, Manoah continues to refine his delivery post-surgery, but his velocity has not yet returned to its pre-operation levels. In his recent start, his fastball averaged 90.5 mph, lower than the MLB average, raising concerns about his current pitch effectiveness.
The decision to designate Manoah reflects the Blue Jays’ belief that other pitchers like Dillon Tate, Easton Lucas, or Justin Bruihl may be more urgently required as the team strives for a playoff spot. Financially, the team eliminates about $2.2 million in projected salary for 2026 when Manoah would have been eligible for arbitration. Furthermore, the move impacts the team’s future pitching depth, especially as some of their other starters, including Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt, approach free agency.
This decision implies the Blue Jays were not yet confident in Manoah’s readiness, impacting their rotation plans for the upcoming season. The team’s focus will pivot towards refining other pitchers and exploring acquisitions to bolster their pitching roster in the offseason. Notably, players like Ricky Tiedemann and Chad Dallas are expected to return from health setbacks and contribute meaningfully.
As the Blue Jays gear up for a potential playoff run, Manoah’s future with the team is uncertain. While it’s possible he could clear waivers and remain with the organization through an assignment to triple-A, there exists a strong possibility that he may pursue opportunities elsewhere. This development is indicative of the high stakes and strategic maneuvers involved in professional baseball, particularly during pivotal moments in the season.