Blue Jays' Manoah will 'keep fighting' through early-season struggles
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Alek Manoah is confident he can overcome a tough start to the 2023 campaign.
Manoah, who finished as an AL Cy Young finalist last season, surrendered a career-high seven earned runs on nine hits with four walks over 4 2/3 innings in a loss against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday.
"I've had my butt kicked plenty of times, so getting my butt kicked out of (a) baseball field was a lot better than the other times I've gotten my butt kicked. I'm here right now, and I'm going to keep fighting my way out," Manoah said postgame, according to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.
The 2022 All-Star now owns a 6.98 ERA with 1.97 WHIP over 19 1/3 innings (four starts) this year. He's walked 15 batters and recorded 16 strikeouts.
"I've got a lot in the tank. I've just got to go out there and start throwing some punches instead of wearing them," Manoah added.
The 25-year-old's next start will come on the road against the New York Yankees.