Alek Manoah's season has been a whirlwind of ups and downs. After a challenging start to the year, the 25-year-old pitcher, who was a Cy Young Award finalist just last season, showcased his remarkable talent in a resounding return to Major League Baseball on Friday. He delivered a stellar performance against the Detroit Tigers, pitching six innings and allowing just one run.

Manoah's early 2023 season was marked by a significant dip in performance, with a 6.36 ERA in his initial 13 starts, a stark contrast to his 2.24 ERA from the previous year. This led the Toronto Blue Jays to send him down to the Florida Complex League, the lowest level of the minor leagues, for a reset. His time in the minors had its own share of challenges, including a rough outing where he surrendered 11 earned runs in a short appearance.

However, Friday night's game against Detroit was a testament to Manoah's resilience and ability. He looked like the dominant pitcher of 2022, striking out eight batters and allowing only five hits over 91 pitches. A notable improvement was his control, as he didn't issue a single walk, a significant contrast to his earlier struggles where he led the league in walks allowed. This performance marked only the second time Manoah pitched into the sixth inning since April 22nd, and it offered a glimmer of hope for the Blue Jays.

Currently, the Blue Jays hold a 49-40 record, placing them third in the American League East, seven games behind the Tampa Bay Rays.