The American League’s strongest starting rotation is about to get even tougher.
The Los Angeles Angels announced Saturday that right-hander Alek Manoah has been cleared to begin a minor league rehab assignment this week, putting the hard-throwing veteran on track for a return to the big leagues.
Manoah, who signed a high-stakes one-year deal with the Angels this offseason, has been working his way back from a freak fingernail injury that sidelined him during Spring Training. His final step before the assignment was a strong four-inning simulated game on April 21, where his sinker sat at 95–96 mph with the heavy, late movement that made him an All-Star earlier in his career.
The timing couldn’t be better for an Angels team already rolling in the AL West. While Soriano and Detmers have been outstanding at the front of the rotation, the back end has leaned heavily on young arms. Adding Manoah’s bulldog mentality and proven big-game experience gives Los Angeles the kind of depth that can separate good teams from true contenders.
“Alek is hungry,” said pitching coach Barry Enright. “The finger injury was frustrating because he was throwing so well in March, but it gave him extra time to dial in his conditioning. He’s coming back with a serious chip on his shoulder — and that’s a dangerous version of Alek Manoah.”
Manoah’s rehab plan is straightforward but cautious:
If all goes smoothly, Manoah is projected to make his 2026 Angels debut during the upcoming home series against the Texas Rangers. For a club that has long battled pitching depth issues, a healthy and motivated Manoah feels like a mid-season blockbuster — except he’s arriving before May even hits.
The Angels’ rotation just got a whole lot scarier.