Alek Manoah
Breakdown
Performance
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May 11, 2026
Expected to follow opener Monday
Manoah will follow an opener and operate as the Angels' bulk pitcher Monday against the Guardians, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Analysis
After returning from a stint on the injured list Wednesday, the right-hander made his Angels debut out of the bullpen Friday against the Blue Jays, recording a strikeout while throwing seven of his 11 total pitches for strikes. Following the recent demotion of Sam Aldegheri to Triple-A Salt Lake, the Angels have an opening in the rotation and will call upon Manoah to serve as their primary pitcher Monday. If Manoah fares well in what will likely be a multi-inning appearance, he could be called upon again to either make a start or work in bulk relief during next weekend's series versus the Dodgers, though Grayson Rodriguez (shoulder) is nearing a return from the injured list and might also be a candidate to step into the rotation when a fifth starter is next needed.
May 9, 2026
Logs first MLB outing since 2024
Manoah tossed a perfect inning, striking out one batter in relief versus Toronto on Friday.
Analysis
Manoah began his career with Toronto and remained with the organization until September of last year. The right-hander didn't make it to the majors in 2025, as all of his pitching came in the minors while he worked his way back from an internal brace procedure on his right elbow that he underwent in June of 2024. Manoah was signed by the Angels this past December but lost a fingernail on his pitching hand in mid-March and began the season on the IL. He finally made his Angels debut Friday and looked good, throwing seven of 11 pitches for strikes without allowing any baserunners in an uneventful eighth inning. It was Manoah's first career regular-season MLB relief appearance after he worked as a starter in all 75 of his previous outings. It's not yet clear if the Angels plan to keep him in the bullpen or if he'll get a chance to enter the rotation at some point.
May 6, 2026
Returns from IL
The Angels activated Manoah (finger) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.
Analysis
Manoah has been out all season after losing a fingernail during his final Cactus League outing. The right-hander struggled in his lone rehab start with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga, yielding six runs (five earned) on seven hits and two walks over 4.1 frames. Manoah is listed as an available reliever on the lineup card for Wednesday's game versus the White Sox, per Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register, so the Angels seemingly plan to utilize him in the bullpen. The Angels will have an opening in the rotation during next week's series in Cleveland, so it's possible that Manoah receives a look as a starter or bulk reliever if he isn't needed out of the bullpen during the team's next four games.