At the deadline, the Tigers dealt Manning to the Phillies in exchange for minor-league outfielder Josueth Quinonez, an 18-year-old playing in the Dominican Summer League.
The Tigers needed the roster spot to accommodate their recent acquisition of new pitchers. Manning’s nine-year time with the Tigers came to an abrupt end.
Matt Manning was selected ninth overall in the 2016 draft out of high school, and he was a consensus top-100 prospect in both the Baseball America and MLB Pipeline rankings for five straight seasons.
He made his debut in 2021 and started at least a few games in each of the next three seasons. He leaves Detroit 11-15, with a 4.43 ERA (4.43 FIP) in 50 starts (254 innings).
Manning, 27, competed for a rotation slot until the final days of spring training in 2024, losing to Reese Olson and Casey Mize.
He made five pinch starts early in 2024, mostly in post-rainout doubleheaders, but was mostly replaced in the rotation pecking order by Keider Montero as the summer progressed.
A lat strain put him on the minor league injured list for nearly two months.
Manning was optioned early in spring camp this year and fell off the radar for major league call-ups after a dismal showing in Toledo.
He pitched briefly for the Phillies at Double-A Reading before being dropped from the roster.
If he clears waivers, the Phillies can keep him in the organization by assigning him to the minors.