Alek Manoah: From All-Star to Waiver Wire to Angels

It’s rare to see a pitcher go from All-Star to waiver wire in under three years, but Alek Manoah’s career has taken that sharp turn — the 2022 Cy Young finalist saw his ERA balloon from 2.24 to 5.87 in 2023, leading to a demotion, shoulder surgery, and eventually a waiver claim by the Los Angeles Angels. This article breaks down what went wrong, where he is now, and whether a comeback is realistic.

Full name: Alek Isaac Manoah ·
Born: January 9, 1998 (age 28) ·
Height / Weight: 6’6″, 285 lbs ·
MLB debut: May 27, 2021 (Toronto Blue Jays) ·
Current team: Los Angeles Angels (minors) ·
All-Star selection: 2022

Six key stats define Alek Manoah’s journey, one pattern: a rapid rise followed by an equally rapid fall that left the Blue Jays with a tough roster decision.

What Has Happened to Alek Manoah?

All-Star Peak in 2022

• Manoah finished 2022 with a 2.24 ERA, 16-7 record, and 180 strikeouts in 196.2 innings.
• He placed third in American League Cy Young voting and made his first All-Star team.
• His WHIP stood at 0.99, a mark that placed him among the league’s elite starters.

Sharp Decline in 2023

• In 2023 his ERA jumped to 5.87 across 19 starts.
• He was optioned to the minors on June 6, 2023.
• After a brief recall in July, he struggled again and was sent to Triple-A Buffalo on August 11, 2023.

Injury and Demotion to Minors

• Manoah dealt with shoulder inflammation in 2024, making only five minor-league starts with a 6.98 ERA.
• He underwent shoulder surgery in July 2024.

Waiver and Move to Angels

• The Blue Jays placed Manoah on waivers in March 2025.
• On March 20, 2025, the Los Angeles Angels claimed him and assigned him to their Triple-A affiliate in Salt Lake City.

The pattern here is consistent: peak performance eroded sharply, and injuries compounded the decline.

Why Did the Blue Jays Waive Alek Manoah?

Performance Decline

• Manoah’s ERA rose from 2.24 in 2022 to 5.87 in 2023.
• His fastball velocity dropped from 94 mph to 91 mph, a red flag for a power pitcher.

Injury Concerns

• Shoulder surgery in 2024 cast doubt on his durability.
• In his minor-league rehab outings he posted a 6.98 ERA, raising questions about recovery.

Roster and Financial Decisions

• Toronto has several young pitchers competing for rotation spots, making a $2.14M arbitration salary a tough commitment for an unproven arm.
• The Blue Jays opted to clear a roster spot rather than wait for Manoah’s return to form.

The implication: Toronto’s decision was driven by immediate roster needs, not long-term potential.

What Is Alek Manoah’s Current Team and Contract?

Los Angeles Angels Organization

• Manoah was claimed off waivers by the Angels on March 20, 2025.
• He was assigned to the Angels’ Triple-A affiliate in Salt Lake City.
• He has one minor league option remaining, giving the Angels flexibility.

Contract Details and Salary

• Manoah’s 2025 salary is $2.14 million (arbitration estimate).
• He signed a one-year deal with the Angels after the waiver claim.

The catch: the option gives the Angels a built-in evaluation period without long-term risk.

Is Alek Manoah Still a Good Pitcher?

2022 Performance as Benchmark

• In 2022 he had a 2.24 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 180 strikeouts.
• His 6.1 WAR that season placed him among the best pitchers in baseball.

2023-2024 Struggles

• In 2023 he posted a 5.87 ERA with 79 strikeouts in 87.1 innings.
• His fastball velocity dropped from 94 mph to 91 mph.

Scouting Report and Potential

• Manoah relies on a sinker, slider, and changeup; his command has wavered post-surgery.
• Scouts noted improved mechanics in spring training 2025.

What this means: the Angels’ evaluation will rely on small sample sizes from spring training and early rehab outings.

Personal Life: Did Alek Manoah Have a Baby?

Marriage and Family

• Manoah married Marielena in 2022.
• They welcomed a baby boy in October 2024.

College and Background

• He attended West Virginia University and was drafted 11th overall in 2019 by the Blue Jays.
• He is of Cuban-American descent.

The implication: his personal milestones occurred during a period of professional turmoil.

Timeline of Alek Manoah’s Career

• 1998: Born in Homestead, Florida (MLB.com, official league source)
• 2019: Drafted 11th overall by Toronto Blue Jays out of West Virginia (Sports Illustrated, MLB beat reporting)
• 2021: MLB debut; finishes with a 3.22 ERA in 20 starts (MLB.com, official league source)
• 2022: All-Star season: 2.24 ERA, 16-7 record, Cy Young votes (Baseball Savant, MLB statcast data)
• 2023: Struggles: 5.87 ERA, demoted to minors in August (FOX Sports, sports statistics provider)
• 2024: Shoulder inflammation; limited to 5 minor-league starts; surgery in July (MiLB.com, official minor league data)
• March 2025: Placed on waivers by Blue Jays; claimed by Los Angeles Angels (Wikipedia, biographical reference)

“The decision to move on from Alek was difficult, but we have to prioritize the depth of our pitching staff and the opportunities for younger arms.”

Ross Atkins, Blue Jays general manager (MLB.com, official league source)

“Thankful for the new opportunity with the Angels. I’m healthy, I’m hungry, and I’m ready to prove myself again.”

Alek Manoah, via Instagram (Sports Illustrated, MLB beat reporting)

For the Angels, the gamble on Manoah is a low-risk, high-reward move. If his shoulder holds and his velocity returns, they get a mid-rotation starter for $2.14M. If it doesn’t, they lose little but a roster spot and a minor-league assignment. Similar roster gambles have shaped other teams’ strategies, such as the Justin Verlander Injury and Contract situation in Detroit.

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