Blue Jays demote struggling All-Star Alek Manoah to rookie-level Florida Complex League
TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays demoted struggling right-hander Alek Manoah to the Florida Complex League Tuesday, one day after the 2022 All-Star and AL Cy Young finalist couldn’t get out of the first inning against the Houston Astros.
Manoah was booed by Toronto fans after allowing six runs and seven hits in 1/3 of an inning Monday, his seventh straight losing decision. He’s 1-7 with a 6.36 ERA in 13 starts after going 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA in 31 starts last season.
Manoah has allowed 45 runs in 58 innings. He allowed 55 in 196 2/3 innings in 2022. He went 9-2 with a 3.22 ERA in 20 starts as a rookie in 2021.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider said “everything is on the table” when asked about Manoah’s status after Monday’s loss.
Toronto is the only big league team to use no more than five starting pitchers so far this season. The Blue Jays are 33-28, fourth in the AL East.
Previously the Gulf Coast League, the Florida Complex League is a rookie-level league with most games played at spring training facilities.
The Blue Jays also activated right-hander Chris Bassitt off the paternity list, and activated infielder Santiago Espinal (right-hamstring) off the 10-day injury list.
Toronto selected right-hander Bowden Francis from Triple-A Buffalo, and optioned right-hander Jay Jackson and infielder Ernie Clement to Triple-A. Minor league right-hander Zack Thompson was designated for assignment.
