As expected, the Toronto Blue Jays officially activated Alek Manaoh before his start Sunday against the Washington Nationals.
To make room for the 26-year-old right-hander, the team optioned left-handed reliever Brendon Little to triple-A Buffalo.
Manoah had been rehabbing in the minor leagues to start the 2024 season after sustaining a shoulder injury in spring training. His 30-day rehab window was set to close on Monday.
Little appeared in three games with the Blue Jays after starting the year with the Buffalo Bisons. He posted a 10.80 ERA with four strikeouts in 3.1 innings.
He pitched in Saturday’s win over the Washington Nationals, allowing one run in an inning of work.
Manoah impressed in his last start for triple-A Buffalo, striking out 12 and giving up just one run in six innings against Indianapolis. It was a major turnaround for Manoah, who has an 8.69 ERA in five minor-league starts this season.
“Alek, last outing, kind of everything that we had hoped for and we know that he’s going to help us,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Saturday. “He’s a big part of our team and no better time than right now.”
“His stuff is in a great spot,” he added. “His stuff — velocity, slider, everything — is probably in the best spot it’s been in a year-and-a-half or so. I think getting that in the zone and getting deep into games is what we were kind of looking for and he definitely did that, checked that box, so (I’m) excited to see him tomorrow.”
You can watch as Manoah and the Blue Jays go for a series win over the Nationals Sunday afternoon on Sportsnet ONE and Sportsnet+. Coverage starts at 1 p.m. ET and 10 a.m. PT.
