The MLB regular season has reached the seven-week mark. While the season remains young, several teams have already established themselves with strong starts.
The Los Angeles Angels, however, have struggled out of the gate. Still, the club recently received a boost with the return of veteran pitcher Alek Manoah.
After easing Manoah back into action against the Toronto Blue Jays, the Angels watched him deliver a scoreless inning with one strikeout. The team appears to have a clear plan for his next outing on Monday.
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Reports indicate the Angels will use an opener ahead of Manoah on Monday against the Cleveland Guardians before turning to him shortly after the first inning.
Manoah earned an All-Star selection during his time with Toronto, highlighted by his standout 16-7 campaign in 2022. This performance helped the Blue Jays secure a Wild Card berth.
Since that breakout season, however, Manoah has struggled to regain consistency. He posted a combined 4-11 record across the 2023 and 2024 seasons. However, the organization demoted him to the minors and eventually designated him for assignment.
Now, Manoah has an opportunity for a fresh start and a chance to revive his career. The question is whether he can rediscover the form that made him one of baseball’s top young pitchers in 2022.