Braves claim former Blue Jays ace Manoah off waivers

Former Toronto Blue Jays star pitcher Alek Manoah has found a new home with the Atlanta Braves.

The 27-year-old, who hasn’t pitched in the Majors since May of 2024, joins a Braves franchise featuring Canadian general manager Alex Anthopoulos, who served as the GM of the Blue Jays from 2009-2015.

Manoah was designated for assignment on Tuesday after failing to find his form following an All-Star season in 2022.

A native of Homestead, Florida, Manoah broke out with the Jays during his rookie season of 2021, posting a 3.22 ERA and 127 strikeouts alongside a 9-2 record over 111.2 innings pitched.

Manoah put up even better numbers a year later, going 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA and striking out 180 over 196.2 innings pitched to be named to the American League All-Star team.

The 2023 season was when everything started to spiral downwards for the right-handed pitcher.

With expectations at an all-time high, Manoah struggled right from the beginning, posting a 6.36 ERA over his first 13 starts before being demoted to the minors in early June.

Manoah finished the season with just three wins and a 5.87 ERA over 19 starts and 87.1 innings pitched.

Manoah struggled again in 2024, eventually needing UCL surgery in June, ending his season.

Manoah returned to the mound in the minors in 2025, but wasn’t able to find his way back to the MLB roster.

Bruihl recalled from Triple-A

Ahead of their series opener against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays, the Blue Jays recalled left-handed pitcher Justin Bruihl from Triple-A Buffalo on Friday.

Right-handed pitcher Paxton Schultz was optioned to the Spring Training Complex in Florida.

With three games remaining in the season, the Jays and New York Yankees are tied for the top spot in the American League East with identical 91-68 records.

The Jays’ magic number to clinch the division is three.

New York finishes the regular season at home against the last-place Baltimore Orioles.