OAKLAND, Calif. – Alek Manoah is set to undergo UCL surgery on June 17, said Blue Jays manager John Schneider. The exact surgery is TBD — could be Tommy John, could be a repair with the internal brace. Either way, his season is over.
The diagnosis was made during a visit to Dr. Keith Meister’s office in Texas on Thursday, who took another look at Manoah after an MRI last week revealed a sprain of the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow.
At the time, the Blue Jays said they didn’t have enough information on the degree of damage, but began quietly considering ways to fill out the roughly 20 outings his spot in the rotation has remaining this year.
Trevor Richards started in his place Tuesday with Bowden Francis handling bulk duties. The Blue Jays are TBD for the spot’s next turn Sunday against the Athletics.
Manoah, 26, left his start at the Chicago White Sox after his 24th pitch because of a “pinchy” sensation in his right elbow. He’d experienced some discomfort following his previous outing against the Detroit Tigers, felt good enough to pitch between outings and told himself to really let it rip on the fateful 91.4-m.p.h., glove-side sinker.
“It sucks,” he said afterwards. “But I have my faith in God and I dealt with a lot of (expletive) this past year to get back to this point. And the game’s tough, you know?”
An MRI the next day revealed the sprain of his ulnar collateral ligament and a follow-up with Meister was scheduled.
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Alek Manoah will undergo ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) surgery, which will unfortunately rule him out for the rest of the season. The news comes as a blow to both Manoah and the Blue Jays, as the young pitcher has shown great promise in his rookie season.
UCL injuries are common among pitchers and can be a significant setback in their careers. The UCL is a ligament on the inside of the elbow that is crucial for stabilizing the joint during the throwing motion. When the UCL is damaged, it can lead to pain, inflammation, and decreased range of motion in the elbow.
Surgery is often necessary to repair a torn UCL, and the recovery process can be lengthy. It typically involves a period of rest and rehabilitation to allow the ligament to heal properly before the player can return to pitching at full strength.
Manoah, who was drafted by the Blue Jays in the first round of the 2019 MLB Draft, has shown great potential in his rookie season. He has posted a 6-2 record with a 3.39 ERA in 19 starts, striking out 115 batters in 105.2 innings pitched. His performance on the mound has been a bright spot for the Blue Jays this season, and his absence will undoubtedly be felt in the rotation.
Despite the setback, Manoah remains optimistic about his future in baseball. He is determined to make a full recovery and return to the mound stronger than ever. In the meantime, the Blue Jays will have to rely on their other pitchers to step up in Manoah’s absence and help keep their playoff hopes alive.
Injuries are an unfortunate part of sports, but they are also a test of an athlete’s resilience and determination. As Alek Manoah embarks on his road to recovery, he will have the support of his teammates, coaches, and fans behind him every step of the way. We wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back on the mound next season.