Blue Jays activate Alek Manoah from IL and designate Orelvis Martinez for assignment

Originally posted on Bluejaysnation
By Tyson Shushkewich | Last updated Sep 11, 2025 8:00 PM ET

The Toronto Blue Jays announced a pair of roster moves following Kevin Gausman’s shutout performance against the Houston Astros earlier today.

Right-hander Alek Manoah has officially been activated from the 60-day IL and optioned to Triple-A Buffalo. The former Cy Young finalist has been with the Bisons since mid-August as he continues to rehab his way back from Tommy John surgery. To make room for Manoah on the 40-man roster, the Jays designated former top prospect Orelvis Martinez for assignment.

Signed by the Blue Jays as an international free agent in 2018, the $3.5 million Martinez inked is the third-largest international bonus in franchise history, behind Enmanuel Bonilla ($4.1 million) and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ($3.9 million). Regarded for his hitting ability, Martinez has been climbing up the Jays’ farm system since 2019, reaching Triple-A Buffalo in 2023. During the 2022/2023 offseason, the Jays added the Dominican product to the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft.

ROSTER MOVES:

RHP Alek Manoah reinstated from 60-day IL and optioned to Triple-A

INF Orelvis Martinez designated for assignment pic.twitter.com/yg7UG8dN3Q

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) September 11, 2025

Martinez would make his Major League debut on June 21st in Cleveland, going 1 for 3 at the plate. In the following days, Martinez was suspended for 80 games after testing positive for Clomiphene, which the Jays’ top prospect attributed to medication related to fertility treatments he had received back home. That missed time due to the suspension when the Jays were out of the playoff race and letting some of the prospects get regular playing time following the trade deadline saw Martinez fall down the depth charts.

In 2025, Martinez started the campaign in Buffalo after failing to secure an Opening Day roster spot and struggled to find a rhythm at the plate, amassing a .176/.288/.348 slash line with 13 home runs, 17 doubles, and a .636 OPS. While Martinez had showcased his home run power in seasons past and was one prospect the club decided to hang onto over the years instead of trading away, the Jays decided to cut him loose to bring Manoah back to the roster.

Since rejoining the Bisons, Manoah has authored a 3.09 ERA through five starts and 23 1/3 innings, striking out 18 batters compared to 12 walks. It remains to be seen if the Jays will call upon the 6-foot-6 Florida product to finish the season or keep him stretched out in Triple-A as starting depth, but the right-hander is officially back in the fold for the Toronto Blue Jays.

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

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