Alek Manoah returns to Blue Jays rotation Sunday vs. Nationals

The Jays have a starting spot open after Yariel Rodriguez was placed on the 15-day IL earlier this week with a back injury.

Manoah, 26, has been rehabbing in the minor leagues to start the 2024 season after sustaining a shoulder injury in spring training. His 30-day rehab window is set to close on Monday.

Manoah impressed in his last start for triple-A Buffalo, striking out 12 and giving up just one run in six innings against Indianapolis. It was a major turnaround for Manoah, who has an 8.69 ERA in five minor-league starts this season.

"Alek, last outing, kind of everything that we had hoped for and we know that he's going to help us," Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. "He's a big part of our team and no better time than right now."

"His stuff is in a great spot," he added. "His stuff — velocity, slider, everything — is probably in the best spot it's been in a year-and-a-half or so. I think getting that in the zone and getting deep into games is what we were kind of looking for and he definitely did that, checked that box, so (I'm) excited to see him tomorrow."

The former All-Star has struggled since his 2022 Cy Young-calibre campaign. Named the 2023 Opening Day starter, Manoah was designated for assignment in early June of that year. He bounced between the MLB and the minor leagues for the remainder of the year, ultimately finishing with a 5.87 ERA in 87.1 innings pitched.