Blue Jays starter Alek Manoah leaves game against Chicago with apparent injury

Right-hander Alek Manoah exited today’s start in the second inning against the White Sox with the Jays starter yelling in discomfort and walking gingerly around the mound before being joined by the team’s training staff. Trevor Richards came in relief to replace Manoah.

Manoah was solid in the first inning, generating two strikeouts and a lineout to get the Jays’ bats back out quickly for the second inning but ran into some trouble in the bottom half in the form of a leadoff double to Andrew Vaughn. The 6-foot-6 hurler had battled back to get two outs before DeJong stepped to the plate but the Jays pitcher also threw a wild pitch that moved Vaughn to third base, a slider down and away that was nowhere near the plate – a potential precursor to the injury exit.

The Florida product started the season on the IL with right shoulder inflammation as he was battling for a spot in the rotation after a dismal 2023 campaign. After some rehab outings in triple-A, Manoah joined the Blue Jays rotation on May 5th and has seen both the highs and lows on the mound since his return.

His debut against the Washington Nationals saw him put up six earned runs through four innings of work before the former first-round pick bounced back with two outings that saw him put up a zero in the earned run column while adding 13 strikeouts. More impressively, Manoah has been able to reign in the command issues that dogged him last season, generating just four free passes since his first start of the season (which was four walks alone).

While the extent of the injury is not fully known or whether an IL stint will be needed, the Blue Jays have some fortunate news on the injury front as both Bowden Francis and Yariel Rodríguez are nearing the end of their rehab stints in Buffalo and could slot into the rotation if needed. Both right-handers can eat up innings and can work in tandem with each other to not tax the bullpen, which might need a breather after tonight’s early call to action. The Jays also have Paolo Espino on the 40-man if needed.

The Blue Jays have an off-day tomorrow before facing the Pittsburgh Pirates for a three-game set.