Braves Claim Former All-Star Alek Manoah After Blue Jays Release Amid Albies Injury

The Atlanta Braves have claimed pitcher Alek Manoah off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays after he was designated for assignment, aiming to revive the former All-Star's career. Manoah, who finished third in the AL Cy Young voting in 2022 with a 2.24 ERA, has struggled since, undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2024 and pitching limited innings while rehabbing. The Braves transferred Ozzie Albies to the 60-day injured list to open a roster spot for Manoah, who showed promise during his rehab starts with a 2.97 ERA in Triple-A. Despite a disappointing 2023 season and limited major league action in 2024 and 2025, Atlanta is hopeful that a change of scenery and opportunity will help Manoah regain his prior form. Manoah is under team control through 2027 and is expected to compete for a rotation spot next season. Braves general manager Ross Atkins noted the difficult decision to release Manoah due to roster constraints, underscoring the potential Atlanta sees in him.