Embattled starter Alek Manoah set for return to Blue Jays' rotation Friday

Toronto pitcher Alek Manoah is set to return from a conditioning stint and start for the Blue Jays on Friday.

Jays manager John Schneider told reporters before Toronto's series-opening game against the White Sox that Manoah will be on the mound when the team starts a three-game series in Detroit later this week.

Manoah started for the double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats on Sunday, striking out 10 and giving up one run on three hits over five innings.

It was a stark contrast to his first two seasons in the big leagues.

After going 9-2 with a 3.22 earned-run average over 20 starts as a rookie in 2021, the six-foot-six Manoah went 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA in 31 starts last year. He finished third in American League Cy Young Award voting.

But this season he went 1-7 with a 6.36 ERA in Toronto before being demoted to the minors to focus on his delivery and throwing strikes.