Angels reinstate – Los Angeles activated Alek Manoah from the injured list, tightening its bullpen options before the Angels visit Toronto.
Alek Manoah is back on the Angels’ active roster, reinstated from the injured list as Los Angeles prepares to shift attention from the closing stretch in Chicago to a three-game series in Toronto.
Manoah’s return comes after he opened the season sidelined with a finger contusion. To create space on the 26-man roster, the Angels optioned left-hander Sam Aldegheri to Triple-A Salt Lake, a move that underlines how important Manoah’s availability could be right as the schedule turns.
The immediate context matters: Los Angeles completes its series against the White Sox on Wednesday before traveling to face the Blue Jays starting Friday.. Manoah was also reportedly available out of the Angels’ bullpen during the Chicago run. suggesting the team views him as a flexible piece in the short term. not just for longer stretches.
Misryoum insight: Reinstating a pitcher with a recent injury can quickly change bullpen planning. Even if a starter’s workload is still being managed, having another experienced arm available often gives a team more reliable leverage late in games.
The right-hander’s path back included a rehab start in Single-A. where he allowed seven hits. five earned runs. and two walks over 4.1 innings while striking out two.. While those numbers reflect typical adjustment challenges. they also show he is progressing through a return-to-game process rather than stopping short of the final steps.
It also follows a difficult spring for Manoah in Los Angeles. During spring training, he posted a 9.39 ERA across five appearances and issued more walks than he struck out, a contrast to the steadier results he later produced while working through recovery in the minor leagues.
Misryoum insight: The leap from spring struggles to improved late-season form often shapes how teams manage expectations. For players, the focus tends to shift from raw results to control, pitch efficiency, and the ability to repeat mechanics.
Before arriving with the Angels. Manoah’s career began in Toronto after he was selected in the first round of the 2019 draft.. Injuries later limited his effectiveness there. and his journey included a waiver claim by Atlanta and time in the minors while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.. In 2025, his last seven Triple-A starts at Buffalo produced a 2.97 ERA with 30 strikeouts over 33.1 innings.
Now. with the Blue Jays series set to begin Friday. the Angels are betting that Manoah’s return can add depth and options during a critical early stretch.. Misryoum insight: Matchups in Toronto often demand both command and composure. so how Manoah handles the first few outings after activation could become a defining storyline for the Angels’ rotation and relief plans.