Alek Manoah and the Angels have agreed to a free-agent deal, a source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand on Tuesday. The deal is expected to be for one year and worth $1.95 million. The club has not confirmed the move or the terms.
Manoah, who was non-tendered by the Braves, represents a reclamation project for the Angels. Entering his age-28 season, he last pitched in the big leagues in May 2024 with the Blue Jays, the team with which he debuted, became an All-Star and pitched parts of four seasons. But his time in Toronto ended on a disappointing note.
The righty underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2024, the culmination of a rough stretch that began a season earlier when underperformance led to a demotion to Triple-A. The downturn was unexpected, as Manoah was coming off an All-Star campaign in 2022, a season in which he went 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA and finished third in AL Cy Young balloting.
Once he returned from Tommy John surgery, Manoah made 10 rehab starts for the Jays in 2025, with the final seven coming for Triple-A Buffalo. He pitched to a 2.97 ERA in Triple-A before being designated for assignment on Sept. 23. The Braves claimed him on waivers shortly after on the idea that he could potentially regain his 2022 form, but Atlanta ultimately did not tender him a contract for 2026.
If Manoah could return to the ‘22 version of himself, the one who was among the most dominant pitchers in the game, it would spell trouble for hitters and would be a big boost to the Angels’ staff. He held opponents to one or no runs 14 times in 31 starts that season and pitched to a 0.94 ERA over his final seven games.