Alek

Manoah

Manoah failed to make Los Angeles’ season-opening rotation after posting a bloated 9.39 ERA across 15 1/3 innings during Cactus League action. It’s fair to assume that the 28-year-old is completely finished as a fantasy-relevant option but the Angels are probably going to let him try to work things out in the minors over the next couple weeks.

It’s unclear how much that issue has impacted his poor performance his last couple of starts — or how much time (if any) Manoah may miss. The 28-year-old hurler is tentatively expected to open the season in the Angels’ rotation, but if he continues to struggle the leash there could ultimately be very short.

This just isn’t going to work, at least not at the start of the year. The Angels want Manoah to be their fifth starter, but he’s averaging 90 mph with his fastball and he’s walked 14 in 15 1/3 innings this spring. He does have options left, so the team could send him down and go with Sam Aldegheri or Walbert Urena in his place. Or maybe they’ll be able to pluck a better option off the waiver wire.

Manoah tallied four strikeouts and handed out a pair of free passes. He was burned by the lone ball in this outing as Austin Hays tagged him for a three-run shot in the opening frame before Colson Montgomery added a solo blast a couple frames later. The 28-year-old righty’s bid for a spot in Los Angeles’ season-opening rotation presently includes a bloated 7.15 ERA across 11 1/3 innings this spring. His fastball velocity remains trapped in the low-90’s, which is problematic to say the least. He’ll be left on the waiver wire in most fantasy leagues, even if he makes the Opening Day roster.

Manoah also issued five free passes while striking out three in the ballgame. He threw just 34 of his 64 pitches for strikes and walked in a pair of runs in the second inning. He then exited with the bases loaded and Aneurys Zabala served up a grand slam to Tyler Soderstrom that tacked on three additional runs to his line. Manoah got eight whiffs on the day, posting a CSW of 27 percent while his fastball velocity sat at just 91.2 mph (-2.3 mph). His chances his returning to fantasy relevancy in 2026 feel like an extreme longshot.

That makes back-to-back starts that Manoah hasn’t allowed a run. The 28-year-old only struck out one, but it’s encouraging to see some early quality results from a pitcher that has been a disaster since 2022. Again, fantasy managers can’t take the risk, but it’d be awfully fun to see Manoah bounce back in 2026.

Manoah did walk a pair, but he didn’t allow a hit while keeping the D-backs from putting any runs on the board. Importantly, Manoah sat at 93.1 mph on his four-seam fastball. He was 94 mph during his breakout 2022, but his velocity fell under 93 mph during his brutal 2023 campaign. The 28-year-old is not all that long removed from being one of the better right-handed starters in baseball, but everything has gone wrong since 2022. Weirder things have happened, but fantasy managers should be taking a wait-and-see approach before considering Manoah in fantasy leagues.

That Detmers was returning to starting was clear, but it’s still interesting that he’s not even going to have to win a job this spring. Grayson Rodriguez, Alek Manoah, Jack Kochanowicz, Mitch Farris and Caden Dana are currently in the mix for the last two spots, with Rodriguez clearly in line to secure a place if he shows he’s healthy. Chase Silseth, who is out of options, is expected to be limited to relief work.

The deal is now official. The Angels are rolling the metaphorical dice on the former Cy Young Award contender after he was non-tendered last month by the Braves. The 27-year-old’s fastball velocity and control never rebounded in 10 minor-league starts during his return from Tommy John surgery this past season and the Blue Jays ultimately cut ties with him on the eve of the postseason. It’s difficult to envision a realistic path back to fantasy relevance in Los Angeles, but he’ll likely open the year in their rotation and qualifies as a low-risk lottery ticket. Maybe the velocity never comes back. Maybe the command never stabilizes. Maybe the Angels are just the latest team hoping the laws of baseball physics bend for one more improbable resurrection.

Los Angeles will roll the metaphorical dice on Manoah after the former Cy Young Award contender was non-tendered last month by the Braves. The 27-year-old righty sat in the low-90’s with his fastball and struggled in the minor leagues this past season in his return from Tommy John surgery. It’s challenging to forecast Manoah returning to fantasy-relevance with the Angels, but he’ll have an opportunity to make their Opening Day rotation with a strong performance in spring training.