Former Toronto Blue Jays ace Alek Manoah reached another critical milestone in his rehabilitation following Tommy John surgery Monday by throwing a baseball for the first time.

Manoah expressed his excitement over the milestone on social media, with Blue Jays Today posting his words from Instagram on “X:”

Alek Manoah throws a baseball for the first time since his TJ surgery. He posted this on his Instagram:

“Day 168 after surgery. It’s hard to describe the emotions and excitement, it feels like opening day in December. There are tons to be thankful for over the past 168 days and even more rewarding today to be able to do what I love most, throw that little white ball! Thank you God”

Manoah underwent the internal strengthening procedure, which is becoming more and more common among players. This means he would likely come back faster than if he had had a traditional Tommy John. Still, he risks missing most, if not all, of the 2025 season. He is under contract through the 2027 campaign.

The 26-year-old has made just five starts in 2024, going 1-2 with a 3.70 ERA. He struck out 26 batters in 24.1 innings, starting to show some of the things that made him one of the best pitchers in baseball in 2022.

Manoah made the All-Star team in this 2022 season, going 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA. He also finished third in the American League Cy Young voting, helping the Jays advance to the playoffs.

However, the 2023 season was horrible for Manoah, who went just 3-9 with a 5.87 ERA. He was demoted to the minor leagues and finished the year on the injured list.

He was also injured during 2024 spring training and started the year in Triple-A before being called up.

With Manoah out of sight for now, the Jays currently plan to have Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt, Jose Berrios, Bowden Francis and Yariel Rodriguez in the rotation. That said, they have been linked to several high-profile starters this offseason, including Max Fried and Corbin Burnes.

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