The Los Angeles Angels have agreed to a one-year deal with right-hander Alek Manoah worth $1.95 million. The 27-year-old former All-Star aims to revive his career after injury setbacks with the Blue Jays. This marks the second pitching addition for the Angels this offseason.
The Los Angeles Angels announced on Tuesday the signing of right-hander Alek Manoah to a one-year contract valued at $1.95 million. Manoah, 27, joins the team as a reclamation project under new manager Kurt Suzuki and pitching coach Mike Maddux. He becomes the second pitcher added to the roster this offseason, following the acquisition of right-hander Grayson Rodriguez in a November trade that sent outfielder Taylor Ward to another team.
Manoah's career highlights include his 2022 All-Star season with the Toronto Blue Jays, where he finished third in the American League Cy Young Award voting. That year, he posted a 2.24 ERA with 180 strikeouts over 196 2/3 innings. However, command issues plagued him in 2023, resulting in a 5.87 ERA and 59 walks in 87 1/3 innings, including time in the Minor Leagues during June and July.
In 2024, Manoah showed improvement with a 3.70 ERA and eight walks in 24 1/3 innings for Toronto after stints at Single-A Dunedin and Triple-A Buffalo. He underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in June of that year and did not pitch in the majors in 2025. During rehab, he made 10 Minor League starts, recording a 3.96 ERA with 35 strikeouts and 23 walks in 38 2/3 innings, including a 2.97 ERA over 33 1/3 innings with Buffalo.
The Blue Jays designated Manoah for assignment on Sept. 23, 2025, ending his tenure in Toronto. The Atlanta Braves claimed him off waivers in late September but non-tendered him before the deadline, making him a free agent. Manoah will compete for a rotation spot alongside Jose Soriano, Yusei Kikuchi, Reid Detmers, and Rodriguez, who also missed time in 2025 due to bone spurs removed from his right elbow in August.
Challenges for Manoah include a high walk rate and wild pitches, notably an errant fastball that struck Taylor Ward in the face in July 2023, requiring facial surgery and ending Ward's season. Selected 11th overall in the 2019 MLB Draft out of West Virginia University, Manoah brings plus stuff when locating pitches effectively.