Alex Manoa (25, Toronto Blue Jays) has been demoted to the Rookie League after struggling this season. This could favor Yusei Kikuchi (32, Toronto Blue Jays), who signed a three-year, $36 million contract.
Toronto sent Manoa to the Florida complex on July 7. It’s an unusual move for a pitcher who was the team’s ace in 2022 and finished third in the American League Cy Young voting, but he’s been so bad this year.
Manoa is 1-7 with a 6.36 ERA in 13 starts this season, the worst of any Toronto starter this year. Overall, there isn’t a super ace in the Toronto starting rotation. Still, the loss of last year’s ace was a shocker for Toronto.
Manoa suddenly collapsed in a big way against the Houston Astros on June 6, giving up six runs on seven hits (one homer) and one walk in ⅓ of an inning. At this point, it’s safe to say that the club waited and waited and waited, and waited. This season, Manoa has a 0.289 BABIP and a 1.90 WHIP, a far cry from last year’s 0.202 BABIP and 0.99 WHIP.
MLB.com said, “It’s been an incredible two months for Manoa. He’s in a battle he can’t win, both mentally and with his delivery, and he can’t pitch aggressively anymore. Manoa is back where he started in spring training. He’s back to work on his velocity in a new facility. This process will require patience from both Manoa and Toronto.”
In effect, he’s starting the season over. “He’s still a big part of our pitching staff,” said manager John Schneider. Toronto will send pitching coach David Howell to the Florida complex with Manoa to help him recover. “There’s a difference in mindset between not throwing strikes here and not throwing balls here,” Manoa said, noting that he’s been struggling.
Manoa’s move suggests that a reunion with Ryu could be difficult as he tries to return in July. That’s because it’s unclear when Manoa will 메이저사이트 return to the majors. The Toronto starting rotation this season has been a virtual one-two punch of Manoa, Kevin Gausman, and acquisition Chris Bassitt. They were backed up by Yusei Kikuchi and Jose Berrios.
Initially, there was speculation that Kikuchi could be demoted from the starting rotation when Ryu returns. That’s because Kikuchi struggled a bit in May, and his price tag isn’t high. In 12 starts, he’s 6-2 with a 4.40 ERA. As for Berrios, he’s a seven-year, $131 million contract, so it’s hard to see him being moved out of the rotation. He’s also shown signs of rebounding since May. In 12 starts this season, he’s 5-4 with a 3.66 ERA.
In any case, with Manoa out of the lineup, Kikuchi will naturally have a chance to survive if he doesn’t return until Ryu returns to the majors. If Manoa returns before Ryu’s return, the situation will be different. For now, Toronto’s starting rotation will have to change.