Baseball fans, buckle up! Alek Manoah, the towering pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays, grabs headlines again as he battles his way back from a major injury. Once a dominant force on the mound, Manoah’s journey through triumph, struggle, and recovery inspires everyone who loves the game. With his latest milestone in March 2025, the 27-year-old shows he’s ready to reclaim his spot as one of baseball’s brightest stars. Let’s dive into his story, his setbacks, and what’s next for this larger-than-life athlete.
The Rise of a Star
Alek Manoah burst onto the Major League Baseball scene with a flair that turned heads. Born on January 9, 1998, in Homestead, Florida, he grew up with a passion for baseball that shaped his life. His towering 6-foot-6 frame and fiery personality made him a natural fit for the pitcher’s mound. After starring at West Virginia University, the Toronto Blue Jays scooped him up in the first round of the 2019 MLB Draft, selecting him 11th overall. Fans quickly saw why the team took a chance on him.
In 2022, Manoah delivered a season for the ages. He racked up 16 wins against just 7 losses, boasting an incredible 2.24 ERA over 196 2/3 innings. His fastballs zipped past hitters, and his command of the strike zone left opponents scrambling. That year, he earned a spot on the American League All-Star team and finished third in the AL Cy Young Award voting. Teammates and fans alike marveled at his confidence, often calling him the heartbeat of the Blue Jays’ rotation. For a team hungry to compete, Manoah became the ace they dreamed of.
However, success didn’t come without hard work. Manoah spent years honing his craft, blending raw power with sharp precision. His slider baffled hitters, and his competitive edge pushed him to dominate game after game. By the end of 2022, he stood tall as a cornerstone of Toronto’s future, a pitcher who could carry the team deep into the postseason. Little did anyone know, challenges loomed just around the corner.
A Rough Patch Hits Hard
The 2023 season flipped the script on Manoah’s meteoric rise. After such a dazzling year, expectations soared sky-high, but his performance took a nosedive. He struggled to find his rhythm, finishing with a disappointing 3-9 record and a bloated 5.87 ERA across 19 starts. Batters suddenly solved his pitches, and his command faltered more often than not. For the first time, doubters crept out of the woodwork, questioning whether his 2022 brilliance was a fluke.
To make matters worse, the Blue Jays optioned him to the minors twice during the season. The demotions stung, but Manoah refused to sulk. He worked tirelessly to rediscover his form, tweaking his mechanics and rebuilding his confidence. Still, the struggles persisted, and whispers grew louder about what went wrong. Some pointed to fatigue after his heavy 2022 workload, while others speculated about mental hurdles. Whatever the cause, 2023 tested his resilience like never before.
Despite the setbacks, Manoah kept his head high. He leaned on his family, his faith, and his love for the game to push through the storm. Teammates rallied around him, reminding everyone that slumps don’t define a player’s career. For Manoah, the tough times fueled a fire to prove he still belonged among the elite. As 2024 approached, he aimed to silence the critics and reclaim his throne.
Injury Strikes: A Major Blow
Just when Manoah started to turn the corner, fate dealt him a crushing blow. The 2024 season began with promise, but shoulder inflammation sidelined him for the first five weeks. He fought back, debuting in early May and showing flashes of his old self. Over five starts, he posted a 1-2 record with a solid 3.70 ERA, hinting at a resurgence. Fans cheered as he battled through adversity, believing the worst lay behind him.
Then, on May 29, 2024, disaster struck. During a start against the Chicago White Sox, Manoah exited after just 1 2/3 innings, clutching his right elbow in discomfort. He later revealed the pain started during his previous outing against the Detroit Tigers. The Blue Jays placed him on the 15-day injured list, diagnosing a right elbow sprain. Tests followed, and the news dropped like a bombshell: Manoah needed surgery to repair his ulnar collateral ligament.
On June 17, 2024, Dr. Keith Meister performed a hybrid Tommy John surgery, complete with an internal brace procedure. The operation sidelined Manoah for the rest of the 2024 season and cast doubt on his 2025 return. For a pitcher who thrived on momentum, the injury felt like a gut punch. Yet, Manoah embraced the challenge, vowing to come back stronger than ever. His journey shifted from the mound to the rehab room, where determination became his greatest weapon.
The Road to Recovery
Rehabbing from Tommy John surgery demands patience, grit, and a whole lot of sweat. Manoah attacked the process with the same intensity he brought to every start. The first few months focused on rest and healing, as his elbow needed time to mend. By December 3, 2024, he hit a major milestone, throwing a baseball for the first time since the surgery. He shared his excitement on social media, calling it “like opening day in December.”
Every step forward brought hope to Blue Jays fans. Manoah stayed vocal about his progress, keeping supporters in the loop. On February 17, 2025, he told reporters he planned to throw a bullpen session within weeks, eyeing a rehab assignment by July and a big-league return in August. His optimism lit up the clubhouse, reminding everyone why he mattered so much to the team. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays locked him in with a $2.2 million contract for 2025, avoiding arbitration and showing faith in his comeback.
Then, on March 14, 2025, Manoah climbed a mound again. At the team’s spring training facility in Dunedin, Florida, he threw 15 fastballs, his first pitches off a slope since the surgery. Teammates cheered him on, and he couldn’t stop smiling. “It feels amazing right now,” he said, describing the moment as a “whirlwind of emotion.” The crisp white-and-gold cleats he wore symbolized a fresh start, and his fastballs zipped with purpose. For Manoah, that mound session marked the home stretch of his recovery.
FAQs
What happened to Alek Manoah’s elbow, and how did it affect his 2024 season?
Alek Manoah injured his right elbow in May 2024, suffering a sprain in his ulnar collateral ligament during a start against the Chicago White Sox. The injury forced him out after just 1 2/3 innings, and subsequent tests revealed the need for surgery. He underwent a hybrid Tommy John procedure with an internal brace on June 17, 2024, sidelining him for the entire 2024 season. The setback halted a promising comeback after a tough 2023, leaving fans eager for his return.
How is Alek Manoah doing with his recovery as of March 2025?
As of March 19, 2025, Alek Manoah makes stellar progress in his recovery from Tommy John surgery. On March 14, he threw 15 fastballs off a mound in Dunedin, Florida, his first such session since June 2024. He reports feeling ahead of schedule, with no pain and plenty of excitement, signaling a strong trajectory toward an August return. The Blue Jays placed him on the 60-day IL on March 17, but that’s a roster move, not a sign of trouble.
What kind of pitcher is Alek Manoah when he’s at his best?
At his peak, Alek Manoah dominated as a power pitcher with pinpoint control and unshakable confidence. His fastball hums in the mid-90s, while his slider and changeup keep hitters off balance. In 2022, he posted a 2.24 ERA over 196 2/3 innings, striking out batters with ease and commanding the mound like a seasoned veteran. His size, swagger, and competitive fire make him a matchup nightmare and a leader in the clubhouse.
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