Blue Jays send RHP Alek Manoah back to Triple-A

The Toronto Blue Jays optioned struggling right-hander Alek Manoah to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday.

Coming off an All-Star season in 2022, Manoah slumped to 3-9 with a 5.87 ERA following Thursday's loss at Cleveland.

Manoah, 25, allowed four runs on four hits in four-plus innings, striking out six and walking three in a 4-3 loss against the Guardians. He was pulled after the first two batters in the fifth reached base.

A first-round pick in 2019, Manoah went 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA in 2022 and was named Toronto's Opening Day starter this season.

The Blue Jays recalled right-hander Hagen Danner from Buffalo in a corresponding transaction.

Danner, 24, was a second-round pick by the Blue Jays in 2017 and has yet to make his major league debut.

At three minor league stops this season, Danner is 1-2 with a 3.66 ERA and one save in 33 appearances (one start).