The Blue Jays designated Alek Manoah for assignment to make room for returning outfielder Anthony Santander.

The Toronto Blue Jays have designated pitcher Alek Manoah for assignment to make room for outfielder Anthony Santander, who returned from the 60-day injured list. Manoah, a former Cy Young finalist who peaked in 2021 with a 2.24 ERA, has struggled since due to injuries and declining performance, posting a 2.97 ERA in seven Triple-A starts this season while seeing his fastball velocity drop. The move comes after he underwent season-ending elbow surgery in 2024 and missed most of 2025. With his contract not tendered for 2026, Manoah is now eligible for waivers and could be claimed by another team or become a minor league free agent. Santander, who has hit .179 this season, is expected to serve as a bench bat for the postseason. The Blue Jays, holding the AL’s best record, are managing roster decisions amid key injuries and the final stretch of the season.