Alek Manoah is scheduled to pitch in a rehab setting and reportedly reached a 90-pitch target as the Angels weigh his MLB debut timeline.
Alek Manoah’s road back to the Los Angeles Angels just got a little clearer, with his injury recovery appearing to move into the next phase.
The 28-year-old starting pitcher is rehabbing a finger injury and has not yet made an MLB appearance for his new team. According to the latest update being discussed by Misryoum, Manoah is scheduled to pitch for Rancho Cucamonga next, with the expectation that he could go up to 90 pitches.
That 90-pitch figure matters because it suggests he is building toward the workload MLB teams typically require after a stint on the injured list. In many rehab plans, teams use pitch counts to gauge stamina and command before making a bigger leap.
For the Angels, the interest is understandable.. Manoah entered the offseason with real expectations attached to his name. after a breakout run that saw him post standout recognition in 2022 with the Toronto Blue Jays. including a third-place finish in American League Cy Young voting and an All-Star selection.
Since that peak season, injuries and inconsistent results have complicated his progress.. In 2023, his performance numbers were far from his ceiling, and his workload dropped further in 2024.. He has not appeared in an MLB game since that 2024 campaign. leaving his return with the added weight of proving he can reclaim the form that once made him a league-level starter.
Misryoum also notes that the Angels appear to be viewing this as more than a simple comeback attempt.. The club’s belief is reflected in how closely Manoah’s recovery is being managed. with hopes that a return to full strength could translate into meaningful impact when he is finally ready for the majors.
In the near term, attention will shift back to the field at hand: Los Angeles is set to face the New York Mets on Friday night. First pitch in Anaheim is scheduled for 9:38 PM EST as the Angels focus on the present even while planning for what comes next.
If Manoah’s pitch progression holds, it would give the Angels a timely boost as they sort out their rotation plans. More importantly for fans, it keeps the possibility of an MLB debut within reach rather than treating his return as an open-ended recovery.