Blue Jays’ Atkins ‘absolutely’ expects Manoah to return to majors this year

Toronto Blue Jays common supervisor Ross Atkins stays optimistic about struggling starter Alek Manoah bouncing again with the major-league membership this yr regardless of a rocky first outing within the Florida Complex League on Tuesday.

Atkins instructed reporters he “absolutely” expects Manoah to pitch within the majors once more this yr. He will throw a bullpen session on Friday earlier than the membership determines a subsequent step.

Appearing on Blair & Barker on Wednesday, Atkins mentioned there have been positives in Manoah’s outing on Tuesday.

“When I first saw the line my disappointment is immediately focused on Alek and thinking did we put him in a less than ideal situation and I hope he’s handling that fine. That was my first reaction,” Atkins mentioned of Manoah, who gave up 11 runs on 10 hits in 2.2 innings towards a New York Yankees affiliate.

“Then I noticed the main points behind the outing. I noticed a 71-per-cent strike fee, which is what we’ve been centered on. I noticed an uptick in velo. So he’s throwing the ball over, he’s throwing the ball more durable, he has an uptick in his tempo, the supply objectives he’s checking each field on. Those are the issues we wished to see.

“The outcome, we would rather he gone six and done whatever in his line but he was comfortable in progress he made, and as we were able to see the progress in that outing, we were as well.”

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The Blue Jays’ opening-day starter is 1-7 with a 6.36 ERA with Toronto this season.

“Alek is someone we believe in,” Atkins mentioned. “We believe he potentially could have stayed here and made progress he’s making now here in the major leagues. But at the time (of his demotion earlier this month), we felt the reset would help him. Getting in the lab, we have now learned has really helped him.”

Atkins needs to see Manoah throwing strikes constantly with all three of his pitches earlier than he returns to the majors.

“I am optimistic the fans are going to see a positive trend. I’m obviously intensely biased by my belief in not only Alek’s resolve but also his talent.”

The Blue Jays have been criticized for an absence of depth in beginning pitching. The membership was set for a bullpen sport on Wednesday for the third time since Manoah’s demotion.

“One of the more difficult things to acquire in the game, other than superstar talent … is depth of that calibre that could be in triple-A for you — someone that could come in and serve as a No. 3 starter for a major-league team on option in triple-A,” Atkins mentioned.

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