Ex-Toronto Blue Jays All-Star Alek Manoah impressive in Spring Training debut
Photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Former Toronto Blue Jays starter Alek Manoah looked like he was in mid-season form in his Spring Training debut for the Los Angeles Angels.
Former Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Alek Manoah looked sharp and confident in his spring debut with the Los Angeles Angels, turning in a performance that resembled mid-season form rather than a first outing of the year.
Manoah’s departure from the Blue Jays last September was one of the club’s more unexpected decisions of 2025.
In need of a roster spot to reinstate Anthony Santander after a flurry of deadline moves, Toronto designated Manoah for assignment.
The right-hander had spent the entire season rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and never appeared in a regular-season game for the Blue Jays in 2025.
After being claimed by the Atlanta Braves and later released during the offseason, Manoah signed with the Angels for a fresh opportunity, and his first impression was an encouraging one.
Facing the Arizona Diamondbacks in Cactus League action on Sunday, Manoah tossed two scoreless innings.
He worked around two walks and did not factor into the decision, but he showed poise by inducing a pair of double plays to escape trouble.
Perhaps most notably, his velocity was up. Manoah’s fastball sat between 93 and 94 mph in the opening inning, a noticeable jump from the 89-to-92 mph range he showed in minor-league action last September, according to Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register.
While his velocity dipped slightly to 91-92 mph in the second inning, it was still a promising sign for the 28-year-old.
Hey guys, remember Alek Manoah? He just threw 2 scoreless innings today in his spring debut for the Angels. I don’t know about you guys, but I’d love to see him revive his career out in LA 👀
Angels looking to catch lightning in a bottle with Manoah
For a pitcher once viewed as one of the Blue Jays’ brightest draft successes under their current front office, the outing marked a meaningful step forward.
Though Toronto’s decision to move on was rooted in roster realities and competitive urgency, Manoah now has a chance to rebuild his value in Anaheim.
To secure a role in the Angels’ rotation, he’ll need to continue stacking strong outings, but his spring debut suggests he’s heading in the right direction.
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| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 23|128 ANSWERS Ex-Toronto Blue Jays All-Star Alek Manoah impressive in Spring Training debut Do you think former Blue Jays starter Alek Manoah will make the Angels rotation this year? | ||
| Yes | 67 | 52.3 % |
| No | 34 | 26.6 % |
| Too early to tell | 27 | 21.1 % |
| List of polls | ||