While the 2025 Toronto Blue Jays have been enjoying their most successful season in almost a decade, one player that hasn't been able to contribute to that success has been starting pitcher Alek Manoah. Manoah hasn't played in over a year after under going Tommy John surgery last year.
Manoah is eager to return to the big leagues and pitch again for the Blue Jays and within the last month of the schedule there may be an opportunity for him to do so.
Blue Jays have a chance to see what Manoah can offer before the season ends.
Earlier in August, Manoah threw his first rehab start in Double A with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, going three innings and striking out two batters. Manoah then made his way up to Triple A to start with the Buffalo Bisons. His first outing did not go well, recording just five outs and giving up three earned runs on two hits, three walks and one hit batter, with one strikout. His second outing saw some improvement. He lasted 4.2 innings and gave up one earned run, while striking out four and walking two.
If the Blue Jays have the AL East clinched or even a spot in the 2025 postseason clinched by late-September, the Blue Jays may want to see what Manoah can offer with an eye toward how realistically he can be a part of their pitching plans in 2026. Having 1-2 starts from Manoah at the end of the season could give the Blue Jays a good indication of where he's at and where he will need to improve in the offseason.
Having a postseason spot or the division clinched would allow for Manoah to pitch in a low pressure situation, but they may be hard pressed to find a lot of those as the season winds down. The Blue Jays' final six games of the season are at home with three games each against the Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays and those games could have major implications on the playoff race. If not, Manoah could get one start on the Rogers Centre mound in front of the Blue Jay faithful.
