Blue Jays' Manoah allows 11 earned runs in 1st rookie-ball start

It seems Alek Manoah is still searching for rock bottom.

The demoted Toronto Blue Jays right-hander allowed 11 earned runs on 10 hits (two homers) with two strikeouts and three walks over 2 2/3 innings in his first Florida Complex League start Tuesday.

The majority of the rookie-level league is filled with teenagers who have minimal professional experience.

Manoah's disastrous outing comes after the Blue Jays said he was "making strides in simulation games" in mid-June. The team optioned him in early June after he posted a 6.36 ERA and 6.52 FIP over 13 major-league starts this season.

"We're not worried about results," manager John Schneider said, according to The Toronto Sun's Rob Longley. "We're just happy with the work he's been doing."

The 25-year-old finished third in AL Cy Young voting in 2022. He authored a 2.24 ERA with 0.99 WHIP and 180 strikeouts over 196 2/3 innings (31 starts) en route to becoming an All-Star for the first time.