Report: Manoah increasingly unlikely to pitch again in 2023

Alek Manoah's season appears to be over.

It's becoming less and less likely the right-hander returns to the mound this season, sources told Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith.

The 25-year-old reportedly met last week with specialists to examine his ailing knee, back, and right quad, and while no structural damage was discovered, the pitcher's lingering health problems led him to prioritize rest and recovery.

Toronto reportedly hoped to have Manoah as organizational depth at Triple-A while the club makes a push for the postseason, though a return hasn't been completely ruled out.

The one-time All-Star's camp apparently also didn't like the Blue Jays optioning him to the minors for performance-related reasons, according to Sportsnet's Ben Wagner.

Manoah struggled in 2023, going 3-9 with a 5.87 ERA in 87 1/3 innings. This followed a 2022 campaign where he finished third in AL Cy Young voting.

The 2019 first-round pick was optioned to the rookie-level Florida Complex League to correct some issues at the beginning of June after posting a 1-7 record with a 6.36 ERA over 13 starts.

He returned a month later to make six starts, showing some improvement with a 4.91 ERA in six outings. The Blue Jays optioned him back to the minors on Aug. 11 in favor of the returning Hyun Jin Ryu. Manoah hasn't pitched in a game at any level since.

Toronto placed Manoah on the temporarily inactive list Sept. 5 to free up a Triple-A roster spot.