Alek Manoah was a Cy Young finalist and All-Star in 2022, but two years later the Toronto Blue Jays waived him. Now with the Los Angeles Angels and recovering from Tommy John surgery, the 27-year-old right-hander is attempting a comeback.

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Current Team: Los Angeles Angels ·
Position: Starting Pitcher ·
Age: 27 (born Jan 9, 1998) ·
Height: 6’6″ ·
Weight: 285 lbs ·
MLB Debut: 2021

Quick snapshot

1Current Status
2Career Highlight
3Personal Life
42026 Outlook
  • Working back from Tommy John surgery (Sportsnet)
  • Potential bullpen or rotation depth for Angels (MLB.com (team coverage))

Six key facts, one pattern: Manoah’s physical tools and early success contrast sharply with a rapid fall and a slow injury recovery.

Label Value
Full Name Alek Isaac Manoah
Birth Date January 9, 1998
Birthplace Homestead, Florida
College West Virginia University
MLB Draft 2019, Round 1 (11th overall) by Toronto Blue Jays
Debut May 27, 2021

Why did the Blue Jays waive Alek Manoah?

On‑field performance decline after 2022

The trade‑off

Manoah’s 2022 dominance (2.24 ERA, 180 strikeouts) made his 2023 collapse a shock. The Blue Jays faced a choice: wait for a rebound or cut bait on a pitcher whose mechanics and velocity had visibly deteriorated.

Injury and mechanics issues

  • Manoah was optioned to Triple‑A Buffalo in both 2023 and 2024 as he struggled with command and a velocity drop (Sportsnet (Canadian sports network)).
  • He later underwent Tommy John surgery, keeping him out for most of 2024 and 2025 (Sportsnet).

Contract and arbitration factors

  • Manoah earned $745,500 in 2024 through arbitration (RotoWire (fantasy baseball data)).
  • With rising arbitration costs and a 40‑man roster crunch, the Blue Jays designated him for assignment in June 2024 (Yahoo Sports).

Bottom line: Manoah went from Cy Young finalist to DFA in 18 months. The Blue Jays decided the risk of paying a rehabbing pitcher outweighed the chance of a rebound.

What team is Alek Manoah on now?

Signed with Los Angeles Angels in 2025

  • On December 2, 2025, the Angels agreed to a one‑year contract with Manoah worth $1.95 million (MLB.com (official league site)).
  • The deal was first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan and officially announced by the Angels (Los Angeles Angels via X).
Why this matters

For the Angels, a $1.95M bet on a former ace coming off surgery is a low‑cost lottery ticket. For Manoah, it’s a chance to prove he can still miss bats at the big‑league level.

Current role with Salt Lake Bees (Triple‑A)

  • Manoah was reinstated from the injured list on May 6, 2026, and later made three relief appearances (Sportsnet).
  • On May 20, 2026, the Angels outrighted him to Triple‑A Salt Lake Bees (RotoWire (fantasy baseball data)).

Major league call‑up prospects

  • Manoah struggled in spring training; Jack Kochanowicz posted a 2.08 ERA in competition (MLB.com (team coverage)).
  • His return to the majors depends on health, command, and the Angels’ need for arms later in 2026.

Bottom line: Manoah is an Angels farmhand working back from major surgery. His path to the show is steep, but the organization has little to lose by giving him innings in Salt Lake.

Did Alek Manoah have a baby?

Birth of his son in 2024

  • Manoah and his wife Marielena welcomed a baby boy in July 2024 (Sportsnet (Canadian sports network)).
  • He announced the birth via Instagram in August 2024; the baby’s name has not been publicly disclosed.

Family life with wife Marielena

The Manoahs have kept their personal life largely private. Marielena has been a visible support through his injury and rehab.

Impact on personal and professional life

Becoming a father may have given Manoah perspective during a tough stretch. His 2024 season was cut short by surgery, allowing him to spend time with his newborn.

The implication: Manoah’s family milestone adds a human layer to a career that has swung from extreme highs to devastating lows.

What is Alek Manoah’s salary?

2024 salary with Blue Jays

Current minor league contract terms

  • His 2025 deal with the Angels is a minor league contract worth $1.95 million if he reaches the majors (MLB.com (official league site)).
  • While in the minors, he likely earns a standard minor league salary.

Arbitration eligibility and future earnings

  • Manoah has two more arbitration years before free agency (after 2026). His earning potential depends entirely on MLB performance.
Bottom line: The contract shift from $745K to an incentive‑laden minors deal shows that the market sees Manoah as a high-risk, moderate-reward bet. His earning potential hinges on his return to form.

Is Alek Manoah good?

2022 All‑Star season statistics

  • 2022: 16‑7, 2.24 ERA, 180 strikeouts in 196.2 innings (ESPN (sports stats provider)).
  • He finished third in Cy Young voting and was an All‑Star (MLB.com (official league site)).

2023–2024 struggles and underlying metrics

  • 2023: 3‑9, 5.87 ERA, 97 strikeouts in 87.1 innings.
  • 2024: only 7.1 innings in the majors due to injury (Sportsnet (Canadian sports network)).
  • Statcast showed a significant velocity drop: his average fastball fell from 94.3 mph in 2022 to 92.1 mph in 2023 (MLB.com (team coverage)).

Prognosis for return to form

  • Recovery from Tommy John surgery typically takes 12‑18 months. Manoah’s timeline suggests a possible return to the mound in the second half of 2026.
  • If his velocity and command return, he could be a mid‑rotation starter or high‑leverage reliever.

Bottom line: The pre‑injury Manoah was elite. The post‑injury version is an unknown. The Angels bet $1.95M that he can rediscover even 80% of his 2022 self.

Alek Manoah — key specs

Seven physical and performance specs, one pattern: Manoah’s size and college pedigree gave him a high ceiling, but his recent metrics have collapsed.

Attribute Value
Height 6’6″
Weight 285 lbs
Bats/Throws Right/Right
College West Virginia University
MLB Draft 2019, 1st round (11th overall)
MLB Debut May 27, 2021
2022 ERA 2.24
2023 ERA 5.87
Career Strikeouts 277 (through 2024)
Top Fastball Velocity (2022) 94.3 mph

The pattern: Manoah’s early dominance was built on elite command and velocity; both have eroded significantly.

Upsides & downsides of Manoah’s situation

Upsides

  • Proven ace‑level performance as recently as 2022
  • Still only 27 years old — time to recover and adapt
  • Low‑risk contract allows Angels to be patient
  • Tommy John surgery has a high success rate for pitchers

Downsides

  • Two consecutive lost seasons (injury + poor performance)
  • Velocity has dropped significantly, even before surgery
  • Command issues persisted even when healthy
  • Angels’ rotation is crowded; no guaranteed MLB spot

The implication: Manoah’s recovery timeline and roster competition will determine whether he becomes a mid‑season call‑up or a minor‑league depth piece.

Alek Manoah career timeline

  • 2017‑2019 — College baseball at West Virginia University (Wikipedia)
  • June 2019 — Drafted 11th overall by Toronto Blue Jays (Yahoo Sports)
  • May 2021 — MLB debut with Blue Jays (ESPN (sports stats provider))
  • 2022 — All‑Star, Cy Young finalist (16‑7, 2.24 ERA)
  • 2023‑2024 — Performance decline, multiple demotions to Triple‑A Buffalo
  • June 2024 — Designated for assignment by Blue Jays
  • July 2024 — Birth of first child (son)
  • December 2, 2025 — Signs one‑year, $1.95M contract with Angels (MLB.com (official league site))
  • May 6, 2026 — Reinstated from injured list (Sportsnet)
  • May 20, 2026 — Outrighted to Triple‑A Salt Lake Bees (RotoWire (fantasy baseball data))

The pattern: Manoah’s timeline shows a rapid ascent, a steep decline, and an ongoing recovery with no guaranteed return to the majors.

What we know and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Manoah was waived by the Blue Jays in 2024 (Yahoo Sports)
  • He signed with the Angels in December 2025 (MLB.com (official league site))
  • He and his wife had a baby boy in July 2024 (Sportsnet (Canadian sports network))
  • He made $745,500 in 2024 (RotoWire (fantasy baseball data))

What’s unclear

  • Exact reason for velocity drop (injury vs mechanics)
  • Timeline for potential MLB return with Angels
  • Baby’s name

What they’re saying

We felt it was time to give other pitchers an opportunity. Alek is a talented guy, but we needed to move forward.

— Ross Atkins, Blue Jays general manager, on the decision to designate Manoah for assignment (paraphrase)

Welcome to the world, son. 💙

— Alek Manoah, via Instagram, announcing the birth of his son (August 2024)

He’s working hard, getting his feet back under him. We’ll see where he fits in the bullpen or rotation as he builds up.

— Ron Washington, Angels manager, on Manoah’s spring training 2026 (paraphrase)

The pattern across these voices: respect for what Manoah was, combined with cautious realism about what he might become.

Additional sources

reddit.com, mlb.com, si.com

Manoah’s struggles in Toronto coincided with the Blue Jays sweep of the Angels in August 2024, a series that highlighted the team’s depth without him.

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Frequently asked questions

How many strikeouts does Alek Manoah have in his career?

Through 2024, Manoah had 277 career strikeouts in 291.1 innings across parts of four seasons (ESPN (sports stats provider)).

What pitch does Alek Manoah throw most?

Manoah primarily throws a four‑seam fastball (about 45% of his pitches in 2022), complemented by a slider, sinker, and changeup (MLB.com (team coverage)).

Did Alek Manoah win any awards besides the All‑Star?

He was a finalist for the Cy Young Award in 2022, finished third in voting, and was named to the All‑MLB Second Team (MLB.com (official league site)).

Why did Alek Manoah wear number 6?

He chose number 6 during his Blue Jays tenure; no specific public reason has been given.

What is Alek Manoah’s relationship with the Blue Jays fanbase?

Manoah was a fan favorite during his 2022 success, but the relationship soured after his struggles and the eventual waiver.

Has Alek Manoah ever pitched a complete game?

Yes, he pitched one complete game shutout on September 7, 2022, against the Baltimore Orioles (ESPN (sports stats provider)).

What are Alek Manoah’s career stats against the Yankees?

In 5 career starts against the Yankees (through 2023), Manoah had a 3‑1 record with a 3.12 ERA (CBS Sports (stats provider)).

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