Blue Jays Lose Manoah to Season-Ending Surgery
The Toronto Blue Jays suffered a significant blow before their road trip opening game in Oakland. Right-hander Alek Manoah, who had been dealing with right elbow discomfort since his start on May 29 against the Chicago White Sox, will undergo season-ending surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow. Seeking a second opinion, Manoah consulted with renowned orthopedist Dr. Keith Meister before making the decision.
This is not the first time Manoah has dealt with injury this season. He began the season on the injured list due to right shoulder inflammation that he experienced during spring training. Despite these setbacks, Manoah made his season debut on May 6 and showed promise, finishing third in the Cy Young voting for the 2022 season. However, he struggled last year, posting a 5.87 ERA and spending time in the minor leagues.
With Manoah now out for the season, the Blue Jays will have to rely on their starting pitching depth, which is not particularly strong. In recent games, they turned to reliever Trevor Richards to open the game and then used a combination of bullpen arms to get through the rest of the game. This strategy, known as a bullpen day, can put a significant strain on the bullpen, especially considering that their closer Jordan Romano is also on the injured list with right elbow inflammation.
Alternatively, the Blue Jays could turn to Yariel Rodríguez, who was part of the rotation earlier this season before suffering a back injury. Rodriguez is now healthy and making rehab outings with Triple-A Buffalo. The team must decide whether they want him to continue building up his pitch count in the minors or if they need him to step up and pitch in the majors in light of Manoah’s absence.
In addition to the loss of Manoah, the Blue Jays also made a roster move before Friday’s game. They added infielder Spencer Horwitz to the team and designated infielder Cavan Biggio for assignment. Biggio, the son of Hall of Famer Craig Biggio, has been with the Blue Jays since he was drafted by them in 2016. Over his five-plus seasons with the club, he hit .227/.343/.382 and developed into a versatile super-utility player. However, his playing time had diminished this year, and the decision to designate him for assignment came as a surprise. Biggio’s departure will undoubtedly have an impact on the team, as he has been a part of their core during their rebuilding and competitive years.
The Blue Jays will now have to navigate through this challenging period without two key players. The loss of Manoah will put additional pressure on their already struggling bullpen, and finding a suitable replacement will be crucial. As the season progresses, the team will need to make strategic decisions to ensure they remain competitive in a highly competitive division.