Blue Jays’ Alek Manoah using rehab process to focus on growth
Despite being sidelined this spring due to reconstructive UCL surgery, Alek Manoah is keeping himself busy at camp with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Despite being sidelined this spring due to reconstructive UCL surgery, Alek Manoah is keeping himself busy at camp with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Manoah is set to return to the mound next week for the first time since undergoing an internal brace procedure last June, he said while appearing on the Foul Territory Podcast Monday from Dunedin, Fla.
That puts the 2022 All-Star around three months away from facing hitters in live batting practice sessions, but that hasn’t kept Manoah from being around his teammates in the build-up to opening day.
“I’m gonna run over here and watch ‘pens. I’m gonna run over here and do PFPs (pitcher’s fielding practice),” Manoah answered when asked if he was bored rehabbing.
Manoah said teammate Chad Green, who had Tommy John surgery in 2022, has helped “a ton” throughout his rehab process.
“Only guys (who) have been through it kind of understand,” the six-foot-six right-hander said. “But I find ways to stay busy.”
While the last two seasons have been a major disappointment for Manoah after he finished as a runner-up for the Cy Young Award in 2022, the opportunity to step away from the pressure of competing in the big leagues has clearly given him some perspective on his career.
“When you go through some turmoil on the field, it can be tough dealing with injuries and things like that,” Manoah said. “For me, it’s been great to go through that a little bit and get to know what kind of person you are and just keep that foundation, but at the same time, just continue to grow and learn about yourself.”
Since that outstanding 2022, Manoah has thrown just 111.2 MLB innings with the Blue Jays, carrying a 5.40 ERA and walking 12.9 per cent of the hitters he faced. Although he looked more like the Manoah of old over a five-start cameo in 2024, his chance at a real breakthrough was cut short by the elbow surgery.
The need to go under the knife was discovered after he left a start on May 29 against the Chicago White Sox with right elbow discomfort. To that point, Manoah had worked to a 3.70 ERA over 24.1 innings with his strikeout and walk rate stabilizing in his return to the majors.
“For me, it’s been a great journey,” Manoah said. “Being able to have my family around me, some really great teammates and just really amazing people in my corner that are always pushing me and supporting me, I feel like it allows me to continue to have my swag and my confidence, even if we’re dealing with some injuries and going through it a little bit.”
Manoah said that he doesn’t have any regrets about the way he was brought up to the big leagues and that he’s always been focused on being a competitor any time he pitches.
“All the outside noise, top of the world, bottom of the world, none of that really matters to me,” he said. “In 20 years, I know I’m going to look back and be like, ‘hey, there were some ups, there were some downs, but it was a good career.’ And that’s what I hope to be able to say.
“For me, it’s a part of the story. To be able to help the next generation … It’ll be a part of how I’m able to help people, and I’ll just continue to work my butt off to be right back where we need to be.”
