The Los Angeles Angels have signed former All-Star pitcher Manoah to a one-year contract worth $1.95 million.

The Los Angeles Angels revealed today that they have signed former All-Star right-handed pitcher Alek Manoah to a one-year contract worth $1.95 million (about 14 million RMB), as an experimental reinforcement for the once very promising young pitcher.

Now 27 years old, Manoah was selected as an All-Star in 2022 while playing for the Toronto Blue Jays. His addition represents an intriguing rebuilding effort for the Angels under new manager Kurt Suzuki and veteran pitching coach Mike Maddux. Manoah is the second pitcher the Angels have added this offseason; earlier in November, they acquired right-hander Grayson Rodriguez in a trade that sent outfielder Taylor Ward to another team.

Manoah had a standout sophomore season in 2022, posting an impressive 2.24 ERA with 180 strikeouts over 196.2 innings pitched, finishing third in the American League Cy Young Award voting. However, in 2023 he struggled with control issues, seeing his ERA rise to 5.87 in 87.1 innings and issuing 59 walks, leading to demotions to the minor leagues in June and July for adjustments.

In 2024, his performance improved, recording a 3.70 ERA across 24.1 innings for the Blue Jays with only eight walks. However, in June of the same year, he underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow and has not pitched in the majors since, though he had regained health by the end of last season.

In 2025, recovering from the ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, Manoah played 10 rehab games in the minors mid-season, pitching 38.2 innings with a 3.96 ERA, striking out 35 and walking 23. At Triple-A Buffalo, he posted a 2.97 ERA in 33.1 innings. Nevertheless, the Blue Jays designated him for assignment on September 23, ending his tenure in Toronto—where he was beloved by fans for his on-field passion and off-field charisma.

In late September, the Atlanta Braves claimed Manoah off waivers but ultimately chose not to renew his contract before last week’s deadline, making him a free agent. With the Angels in urgent need of pitching depth, Manoah now has the opportunity to compete for a spot in the rotation, which currently includes Jose Soriano, Yusei Kikuchi, Reid Detmers, and Grayson Rodriguez, who also missed the 2025 season due to right elbow bone spur surgery.

Manoah’s primary concern remains his high walk rate and tendency to throw wild pitches. In July 2023, one of his errant fastballs struck Taylor Ward in the face, forcing Ward to undergo facial surgery and end his season early. However, when Manoah is on form, he possesses excellent pitch quality, which was why he was selected 11th overall in the first round of the 2019 draft from West Virginia University and was key to his early career success in 2021 and 2022.