Alek Manoah's career following a similar path to this Blue Jays pitcher

In 2021, Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Alek Manoah had a strong rookie season, with a 2.9 bWAR, 127 strikeouts and a 3.22 ERA in 11.1 innings pitched in 20 games. He finished eighth in AL Rookie of the Year voting.

In 2022, Manoah played in the All-Star Game for the first time. He struck out three batters, the first Blue Jays pitcher to accomplish that since Dave Stieb in 1983. Manoah went on to win 16 games with a 2.24 ERA to finish third in AL Cy Young voting. Expectations for Manoah after his 2022 season were very high.

Blue Jays hope Alek Manoah's career doesn't replicate this Blue Jays All-Star from 2010s

However, since 2023, Manoah has struggled. He pitched to a 5.87 ERA in 19 games in 2023. In June 2024, Manoah suffered an elbow injury that required Tommy John Surgery. Now in September of 2025, as Manoah starts to work his way back again to the major leagues, as he did in 2024, only this time it's from an injury and not related to performance.

One player whose career Manoah has replicated stats wise thus far has been former Blue Jays ace, Ricky Romero and for both Manoah and the Blue Jays sake, they are hoping that the rest of Manoah's career exceeds that of Romero's.

In 2009, Romero made his MLB debut for the Blue Jays, winning 13 games and recording a 4.30 ERA. He improved the next season with a 3.73 ERA in 210 innings pitched.

In 2011, Romero made the All-Star Game for the first time and only time in his career. The southpaw won 15 games, recorded a 2.92 ERA and pitched 225 innings while turning into the Blue Jays' top pitcher in just three seasons. However, after 2011 the struggles for Romero began.

In 2012 Romero went 9-14 with a 5.77 ERA leading all of MLB in walks with 105 free passes. In 2013, Romero didn't make the team out of spring training and pitched in just four games with two of them being starts.

In 7.1 innings pitched he recorded an 11.05 ERA allowing nine earned runs and walking eight batters. After 2013, Romero never pitched in the MLB again. Romero went from being an All-Star to being out of the MLB in three years.

For Manoah, 2023 was the start of his struggles. Like Romero in 2012, Manoah had an ERA over 5.00, the first season after his first All-Star Game appearance. While Manoah didn't have an ERA over 11 like Romero in 2024, he pitched in five games before needing to be shut down due to his elbow injury.

Manoah hasn't pitched in MLB in 2025, but has made steady rehab starts in Double-A and Triple-A. If Manoah struggles in Toronto in 2026, his time with the Blue Jays could be on thin ice as Romero's was in 2013.