Significance of Blue Jay Alek Manoah's Recent Rehabilitation Outing Outstrips Game Stats, Indeed
Alek Manoah, the Toronto Blue Jays' right-hander, and Shane Bieber, the Philadelphia Phillies' newest acquisition, are currently going through the challenging process of recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Manoah underwent the reconstructive elbow surgery in June 2024, while Bieber had his procedure two months earlier. This timeline means that Bieber is two months ahead on the surgical recovery calendar.
Manoah's recent rehab start for the Bisons, the Blue Jays' Triple-A affiliate, saw him looking much like his pre-injury self. However, Manoah's outing on Wednesday was not as successful. He was lifted after throwing 27 pitches in the second inning due to the rules of the rehab process. In the second inning, there was an infield single, a hit batter, and a walk that loaded the bases for Justin Crawford. Alec Bohm, a rehabbing big-leaguer, grounded out to third, ending Manoah's outing. Manoah walked two batters in a 22-pitch first inning but didn't allow any runs. Despite this, Manoah gave up three runs on two hits during his rehab start.
On the other hand, Bieber has looked impressive in his two rehab starts for the Bisons. His next rehab start will likely see him return to the majors.
The rehabilitation process for a Tommy John surgery typically involves a disciplined, multi-phase rehabilitation over approximately a year or more. This includes initial recovery, physical therapy initiation, a throwing program start, throwing from the mound and bullpen sessions, and finally, a return to competitive pitching.
Alek Manoah, like any pitcher undergoing this surgery, faces challenges during recovery. These include maintaining proper arm mechanics to avoid re-injury, managing physical and mental fatigue, overcoming psychological barriers related to performance anxiety or fear of re-injury, and adhering strictly to the rehab protocols without rushing back too soon.
Manoah's fastball topped out at 92.1 miles per hour during his rehab start, a testament to his progress. His rehab assignment can last up to 60 days due to the surgery.
Meanwhile, Justin Crawford, the Phillies' No. 3 prospect, had a standout game, hitting a two-run double during the contest.
Shane Bieber, who was acquired at the trade deadline from the Cleveland Guardians, is making steady progress in his recovery. His next rehab start will be a significant milestone in his journey back to the majors.
Both Manoah and Bieber are eager to help their respective teams. Manoah expressed his willingness to help the big club in any role, starting or relief, if he's healthy and ready to go. Bieber has also shown his eagerness to contribute, having impressed in his rehab starts.
In a unique twist, the game featured a match-up between Manoah and rehabbing big-leaguer Alec Bohm. Manoah mentioned that Justin Crawford leading off the game could be a good problem for him, while Bohm mentioned that he made some good pitches to Alec Bohm during the game.
The road to recovery for both Manoah and Bieber is long, but their determination and resilience are evident. As they continue to progress, baseball fans can look forward to seeing these talented pitchers back on the mound.
- Alek Manoah, currently with the Toronto Blue Jays, and Shane Bieber, newly acquired by the Philadelphia Phillies, are both undergoing the challenging process of recovering from Tommy John surgery.
- Alek Manoah faced Justin Crawford, the Phillies' No. 3 prospect, during his recent rehab start for the Bisons, but his outing was not as successful as his previous one.
- Meanwhile, Shane Bieber has been impressing in his rehab starts for the Bisons, and his next rehab start is likely to see him return to the majors.
- Both Manoah and Bieber are eager to help their respective teams, with Manoah expressing his willingness to assume any role and Bieber demonstrating his eagerness to contribute.
- The rehabilitation process for a Tommy John surgery is a long and disciplined one, involving multiple phases and a return to competitive pitching, and both Manoah and Bieber face challenges in their recovery, such as maintaining arm mechanics and adhering to the rehab protocols.
