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Everyone knew something was not right with Alek Manoah when he left the series finale in Chicago against the woeful White Sox with would later be diagnosed as right elbow sprain.

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Once the Blue Jays touched down in Toronto following their three-game sweep in the Windy City, an MRI was performed on the big right-hander.

Then came the news in the hours leading up to Friday night’s series opener against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates that Manoah had been placed on the 15-day injured list.

It’s a tough blow for Manoah, whose big personality and authenticity has endeared himself to the many fans of the ball club.

According to Jays manager John Schneider, Manoah has a right UCL sprain.

Next Thursday, added the skipper, Manoah is scheduled for an in-person evaluation with Dr. Keith Meister, one of the game’s leading orthopedic surgeons and head team physician for the reigning World Series champion Texas Rangers.

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Until all the information is gathered, there’s no way the Jays can say with certainty about the severity of Manoah’s injury or a potential time line.

In a best-case scenario, Manoah could very well miss at least the middle third of the season.

Fingers and even toes, needless to say, are being crossed.

When Manoah was at his best in 2022, he emerged as the club’s ace, started baseball’s mid-summer classic and was a finalist for the Cy Young Award, displaying a swagger and aura that lifted his teammates.

On Thursday, an off day for the club, Manoah underwent an MRI after leaving his start, his fifth of the season, in the second inning at Guaranteed Rate Field.

He’s only 26 years old and the hope is Manoah has not left his best in the past.

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He began this season pitching in the minors on a rehab assignment after experiencing shoulder inflammation.

Last season, he struggled badly to the point where the big-league club demoted Manoah to the lowest levels of the minors.

When he made his way back to the club, Manoah’s season ended prematurely.

His start Wednesday came on the heels of a rough outing in Detroit where the Tigers twice took Manoah deep.

Prior to that, he didn’t give up an earned run in 14 consecutive innings in starts against Minnesota and Tampa.

In a move that won’t exactly move the needle, the Blue Jays also announced Friday that they had acquired RHP Ryan Burr from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for cash, while RHP Joel Kuhnel has been DFA’d, as it that’s going to shift the balance of power.

Burr, who hasn’t pitch in the big leagues since 2022, was active for Friday night’s series opener.

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