Angels' Alek Manoah Struggles Continue in Spring Training

The former Blue Jays standout pitcher is having a tough time finding his form with his new team.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 12:19am

Alek Manoah, the former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher who was traded to the Los Angeles Angels, is struggling mightily in Spring Training. In 15.1 innings, he has allowed 23 hits and 16 runs, with a 9.39 ERA and 13 strikeouts against 14 walks. This continues a concerning downward trend for Manoah, who had a 2.24 ERA in 2022 but saw his numbers balloon to a 5.87 ERA in 2023 before injuries limited him to just five starts last season.

Why it matters

Manoah was once considered one of the top young pitchers in baseball, but his sudden struggles have put his future in the majors in jeopardy. The Angels were hoping a change of scenery would help him regain his form, but so far the results have been disastrous, raising questions about whether he can bounce back and salvage his career.

The details

Manoah's Spring Training numbers have been alarmingly poor, as he has struggled with both his control (14 walks) and his ability to limit hard contact (23 hits allowed). This comes after a 2023 season in which his ERA ballooned to 5.87, a steep decline from his impressive 2.24 ERA the previous year. Injuries and ineffectiveness have limited him to just five starts since the beginning of the 2024 season.

  • Manoah had a 2.24 ERA in 31 starts with the Blue Jays in 2022.
  • In 2023, Manoah's ERA rose to 5.87 in 19 starts with Toronto.
  • Manoah made just 5 starts in 2024 before injuries and ineffectiveness kept him out of the majors.

The players

Alek Manoah

A former standout pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays who was traded to the Los Angeles Angels in the offseason, but is struggling mightily in Spring Training.

Los Angeles Angels

The MLB team that acquired Manoah in the offseason, hoping he could regain his form and bolster their pitching staff.

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The takeaway

Manoah's sudden decline has been one of the more puzzling storylines in baseball, and the Angels are now faced with the difficult decision of whether to keep him on their roster or cut ties if he cannot turn things around. This spring's struggles are a worrying sign that the issues that plagued him in Toronto may not be easily fixed.