Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Alek Manoah claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves

Originally posted on Bluejaysnation
By Tyson Shushkewich | Last updated Sep 26, 2025 4:34 PM ET

A former Blue Jays first-rounder is heading to the NL West.

After Toronto designated Alek Manoah for assignment earlier this week, the right-hander is heading to the Atlanta Braves and former Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos after being claimed on waivers. The Blue Jays needed roster space with the return of Anthony Santander from the IL and decided to cut the Florida product loose, a decision that shocked quite a few in the Toronto fanbase.

During his rehab outings, Manoah crafted a 3.96 ERA across 38 2/3 innings spread across four levels in the minors. With the Bisons, Manoah made seven starts and allowed just 11 earned runs (2.97 ERA) off of 27 hits, six home runs, and 18 walks while striking out 30. He had lost a few ticks from his fastball and saw an uptick in the command issues, posting a 5.4 BB/9 through his 10 minor league starts.

ROSTER MOVE:

RHP Alek Manoah has been claimed off waivers by the Braves pic.twitter.com/WV30aUiXwT

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) September 26, 2025

Drafted in 2019, Manoah didn’t pitch in 2020 with the minor league campaign shut down due to COVID-19 and later made his big league debut in 2021. His best season came in 2022, where he authored a 2.24 ERA and a 3.35 FIP with a 0.992 WHIP across 196 2/3 innings on his way to his first All-Star nomination and finishing third in the AL Cy Young voting.

Things fell off for Manoah in 2023, where command issues hampered his junior campaign in the big leagues, and he ended up spending some time at the Dunedin Pitching Lab to get back on track. He would craft a 5.87 ERA across 87 1/3 innings with a 9.6 H/9 and a 6.1 BB/9. Shoulder inflammation sent Manoah to the IL to begin the 2024 season, and after five starts in May, he landed back on the IL with an elbow injury and later underwent Tommy John surgery.

Manoah finishes his Blue Jays career with a 29-20 record with a 3.34 ERA and a 4.13 FIP through 75 starts and 420 innings. He gets a new start with the Braves, who need some help in the rotation with numerous starters on the IL with long term injuries.

This article first appeared on Bluejaysnation and was syndicated with permission.

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