Blue Jays' Alek Manoah: Set for internal brace surgery
Rotowire
Manoah won't require a traditional Tommy John surgery and is instead slated to undergo a hybrid internal brace procedure Monday to repair the sprained UCL in his right elbow, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider had previously disclosed Friday that Manoah would require a season-ending elbow surgery, but Davidi's report provides more specificity regarding the nature of the procedure. Renowned arm specialist Dr. Keith Meister is set to perform the procedure, which involves replacing the UCL and anchoring the new UCL to an internal brace suture. Though the internal brace procedure typically shortens the length of a pitcher's recovery compared to the 12-to-18-month timeline for Tommy John surgery, Davidi notes that Manoah is still expected to be on the shelf "well into next year." The significant arm injury further muddles Manoah's long-term outlook with the Blue Jays, which had already been somewhat murky following a disastrous 2023 campaign in which he posted a 5.87 ERA and 14.2 percent walk rate over 87.1 innings.
Blue Jays' Alek Manoah: Set to undergo UCL surgery
Rotowire
Manager John Schneider said Friday that Manoah will undergo UCL surgery June 17, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Manoah left in the second inning of his last start May 29 against the White Sox, and he was placed on the injured list two days later with what was diagnosed as a right UCL sprain. Manoah began the season on the IL with right shoulder inflammation, and since returning May 5, he's posted a 1-2 record with a 3.70 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 26:8 K:BB over 24.1 innings. It's not clear whether Manoah will need Tommy John surgery or a brace repair, but either procedure would end the 26-year-old right-hander's 2024 season.
Blue Jays' Alek Manoah: Expected to miss significant time
Rotowire
Manoah will receive a second opinion on his injured right elbow, but the expectation is that he's going to be sidelined for an extended period of time, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.
Manoah was forced from his last outing Wednesday against the White Sox in the second inning due to discomfort in his pitching elbow. He underwent an MRI on Thursday, and it would appear the results of that exam were not favorable. Manoah has not yet been placed on the injured list, but that looks to be inevitable. Bowden Francis (forearm) is slated to return soon and is an option to take Manoah's rotation spot.
