When the Toronto Blue Jays cut ties with pitcher Alek Manoah last September, it marked the end of a dramatic rise and fall that had baseball fans talking. Just three years earlier, Manoah was an American League All-Star and finished third in Cy Young voting—a dominant force on the mound. Now, he's set to face his former team in what could be a compelling "revenge series."
After being let go by the Blue Jays, Manoah briefly joined the Atlanta Braves but never took the mound for them. He signed a one-year, $1.95 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels in December 2025, though a right middle finger contusion delayed his debut. The Angels activated him from the injured list on May 6, and he's now listed as a reliever. Next up for the Angels? A three-game series in Toronto starting May 8—a chance for Manoah to pitch against the team that moved on without him.
Manoah's journey from ace to afterthought is a cautionary tale in the unpredictable world of baseball. In 2022, he was untouchable: a 16-7 record with a 2.24 ERA at just 24 years old. But injuries and inconsistency derailed his career. The following season, he struggled to a 5.87 ERA in 19 starts, finishing the year in Triple-A. By 2024, shoulder and elbow issues limited him to only five MLB appearances before undergoing Tommy John surgery in June.
Recovery stretched into 2025, with Manoah making just 10 minor league starts. Despite a solid 2.97 ERA in Triple-A, the Blue Jays had already moved forward—reaching the World Series for the first time since 1993. When his rehab assignment expired, Toronto designated him for assignment. Atlanta claimed him three days later, but he never suited up. Now, the Angels are giving him a second chance, hoping his time in the bullpen can reignite a once-promising career.
Manoah's most recent rehab outing wasn't encouraging: seven hits and six runs over 4.1 innings for the Angels' Class-A affiliate on May 2. He'll likely start in low-leverage relief situations, but the stage is set for an emotional return to Toronto. For Blue Jays fans, it's a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in the game—and for Manoah, it's a shot at redemption against the team that once believed in him.