TORONTO — The Blue Jays were dealt a nightmare scenario on Friday when Alek Manoah was forced to leave the game against the Tigers after being hit on the elbow by a comebacker.
A Jonathan Schoop liner that came off his bat at nearly 93 mph hit Manoah square in his throwing arm, ending the All-Star’s night — one that already started without George Springer and Bo Bichette in the Blue Jays’ lineup, as both dealt with discomfort.
Manoah was lacking a bit of his dominance on Friday, but he still kept the Blue Jays in the game despite a lukewarm offensive night. The 24-year-old struck out four Tigers batters over 5 1/3 innings, allowing four earned runs including a solo shot to Willi Castro.
Manoah’s early exit comes the night after left-hander Yusei Kikuchi made a solid return from the 15-day IL, ostensibly giving the Blue Jays’ some more certainty around their five-man rotation ahead of the Aug. 2 Trade Deadline.
The Blue Jays did not have an immediate update on Manoah’s status after his exit.