Here's Alek Manoah's strikeout thread from Wednesday afternoon. His first one comes on a 78.4 mph backdoor slider for the called strike.
Blue Jays: Alek Manoah struggles in rehab start with Bisons
Photo credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 13, 2025, 17:30 EDTUpdated: Aug 13, 2025, 17:29 EDT
Another day, another rough outing for Alek Manoah.
The Toronto Blue Jays’ ace in 2022 is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, and he had a tough outing with the Buffalo Bisons on Wednesday afternoon. He pitched just an inning and two-thirds, giving up three walks, three earned runs, and striking out just one.
That strikeout was against the first batter he saw, as he threw a 78.4 mph backdoor slider on the outside of the plate. Somehow, that was the high point of the outing, as he walked Alec Bohm, got Donovan Walton to fly out, walked former Bison Payton Henry, and got Rodolfo Castro to pop out to end the inning unscathed.
The same can’t be said for Manoah’s second inning. Brewer Hicklen grounded out for the first out, but former Bison Rafael Lantigua reached thanks to a single, with Manoah making a good effort to get to the ball. Manoah hit Robert Moore with a pitch, then walked Luis Verdugo to load the bases. Justin Crawford doubled to score two runs, and Bohm drove in a run thanks to a groundout. Bobby Milacki replaced Manoah, getting the final out of the inning.
There aren’t a lot of positives to take away from this game. Manoah was slated for 70-75 pitches, but threw just 49 pitches, 27 of which were for strikes. The right-handed pitcher threw 18 sliders, generating one whiff and four called strikes. He also threw 13 changeups, which generated one whiff on five total swings. Manoah’s fastballs averaged just 91 mph, 2.3 mph slower than his average last season. His sinker and four-seamer generated just two whiffs.
In his start with the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats last week, there were positives to take away from the game, as his slider looked devastating, despite struggling with command. The same cannot be said for Wednesday’s start. It’s more than likely Manoah will be optioned once he comes off the 60-day Injured List.
On Thursday, Trey Yesavage will make his Triple-A debut. Another big leaguer starts for the Bisons on Friday, as Shane Bieber is set to make what could be his final rehab before joining the Blue Jays. It’s an exciting few days for the Bisons.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.
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