Blue Jays name Manoah Opening Day starter

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Alek Manoah will start the club's season opener against the St. Louis Cardinals, the club announced Friday.

The Opening Day nod is the first of Manoah's career. The hurler had a terrific 2022 campaign, making his first All-Star Game appearance while finishing as a finalist for the American League Cy Young.

"I'm super blessed with this opportunity, just to be surrounded by this group of guys I've been surrounded by," Manoah said, according to MLB.com's Keegan Matheson. "Each and every one of them has helped me get to where I am today."

Manoah finished the season with a 16-7 record, a 2.24 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 180 strikeouts across 196 2/3 innings (31 starts).

The 25-year-old has been excellent since making his MLB debut in May 2021. Manoah owns a career 25-9 record with a 2.60 ERA and 307 strikeouts over 308 1/3 innings.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider also announced that left-hander Yusei Kikuchi will begin the season in the starting rotation, according to Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith.

Kikuchi has put together a very strong performance in spring training, posting a 2-1 record with a sparkling 1.00 ERA and 25 strikeouts over 18 innings (six starts).

The 31-year-old will look to rebound after a disappointing first campaign with the Blue Jays in 2022. Kikuchi struggled to the tune of a 5.19 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 32 appearances (20 starts) last season.