Alek Manoah faces hitters as slow road back to Blue Jays continues

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DUNEDIN — So far, spring training 2024 has mirrored most of 2023 for Alek Manoah — which is to say an exercise in disappointment and frustration.

So while returning to game-like throwing on the mound six days prior to the season opener wasn’t a major development, it was a step in the right direction at least.

Manoah threw 23 pitches in a live batting practice session at the player development complex with a couple of strikeouts and a fastball reach 97 miles per hour. Given that it was Manoah’s first notable work since hitting three batters in a rough first outing of the spring back on Feb. 27, at least it was a positive.

Shut down with a sore shoulder for a couple weeks after the messy outing, Manoah is on the slow road back to re-establishing his form.

“The biggest thing for me, it can be really cliche, but it’s controlling what I can control,” Manoah said on Friday. “The biggest thing is keeping my mind on what I need to do today, what I need to do tomorrow and worry about that when it comes.

“That keeps my mind in a safe space and my feet where they need to be.”

When asked what the next step would be for him, Manoah said “that’s not for me to answer,” which makes it clear that he won’t be on the roster to start the season.

As the team waits for him to return to form, they’re still piecing together a five-man rotation to begin the season. The fourth arm, that of Bowden Francis, was announced on Thursday while the fifth spot is still up for grabs.

Much of that decision could hinge on how Kevin Gausman fares in an outing on Monday — either at the team’s player development complex or in his first Grapefruit League game action at Bradenton against the Pirates.

If Gausman isn’t ready to go, the Jays have options, including Mitch White who was excellent in 5.2 innings in a 5-1 win over a lightweight group of Boston Red Sox. White allowed just two hits and struck out six to make his case.

ERNIE EARNING IT

The pathway for utility infielder Ernie Clement to make the opening-day roster was further cleared on Friday when the team granted fellow infielder and training camp invitee Eduardo Escobar his release. This, days after another player battling for a roster spot, Santiago Espinal, was dealt the the St. Louis Cardinals.

Though his status has yet to be confirmed by the manager, John Schneider, it wasn’t a bad way for Clement to celebrate his 28th birthday.

Elsewhere, Joey Votto remains day-to-day after injuring his ankle in his first pre-season appearance this past Saturday against the Phillies. Schneider said Votto is “doing better every day.”