AROUND THE HORN Blue Jays:
Pitcher Alek Manoah has been honored with a sportsmanship award for defending teammate Alejandro Kirk after the catcher was criticized online for his weight. Manoah received a roughly $73,000 ($100,000 Canadian) sponsorship prize and immediately donated it to KidSport, a Canadian nonprofit that gives children the opportunity to participate in organized sports. Earlier this month, Manoah reacted angrily when Montreal radio host Matthew Ross tweeted that Kirk was “embarrassing the sport” because of his weight and figure. Kirk, a first-time All-Star this season, is 5-foot-8 and 245 pounds, according to his bio on MLB.com. Ross was responding to a video highlight of Kirk scoring from first base in a game Sept. 13 against the Rays. The Blue Jays won 7-2, splitting a doubleheader. Manoah, who has thrown to Kirk in all but one of his starts this season, fired back at Ross, urging him to “step aside from the keyboard.” “Go ahead and tell that 8 year old kid who is 10lbs over weight that he should quit now,” he wrote. “Let KIRK inspire those kids to continue to chase their dreams and chase greatness.” Ross subsequently deleted the tweet and shut down his account before issuing a public apology for his remarks. To recognize Manoah’s actions, Dove Men+Care announced a sponsorship honoring athletes for their sportsmanship and named Manoah as the first recipient. In a press release Monday, Dove Men+Care praised Manoah for “promoting body positive reassurance” and demonstrating “notable sportsmanship on a global stage.” The company also announced Manoah’s intention to donate the prize to KidSport. The 24-year-old Manoah, who debuted last season, is 15-7 for the Blue
Jays, who lead the American League wild-card race. His 2.31 ERA is fourth-lowest in the major leagues. Manoah has a salary of $706,200 this season. Now in his third big league season, the 23-yearold Kirk is batting .292 (through Monday) with 14 home runs and 62 RBI in 133 games. Manoah and Kirk were both selected to the AL All-Star team for the first time this season.
Rangers: Right-handed starter Dane Dunning underwent arthroscopic hip surgery Monday and the team said his availability to pitch in spring training will be determined by the progress of his rehab. The Rangers recalled RHP Tyson Miller from Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday, when he was expected to pitch in the opener of a three-game series against the Mariners. RHP Jesus Tinoco was scheduled as the opener. The game in Seattle was scheduled to start after this edition went to press. Dunning finished 4-8 with a 4.46 ERA after career highs of 29 starts and 153 innings pitched. The 27-year-old Dunning was a first-round pick by the Nationals out of the University of Florida in 2016, was traded to the White Sox the following year and acquired by the Rangers in December 2020 in a three-player trade that sent Lance Lynn to the White Sox.
Braves: With the big NL East showdown between the defending World Series champion Braves and the Mets scheduled for this weekend in Atlanta, the Braves are pushing ace Max Fried back to ensure he starts on extra rest against the Mets. The Braves haven’t decided if that start will come in the series opener Friday or on Saturday. If Fried (13-7) starts Friday, he’d be available for the Oct. 5 regular-season finale vs. the Marlins if necessary. Fried last started Thursday.