TORONTO —

The latest stop on former Blue Jays pitcher Alek Manoah’s undulating big-league career has taken him back to a familiar setting.

The former all-star returned to Rogers Centre on Friday night as a member of the Los Angeles Angels. He worked the ninth inning of a 2-0 loss to Toronto in his first appearance in the major leagues since undergoing Tommy John surgery in June 2024.

“That was good, man. I felt like I debuted again,” Manoah said after his 1-2-3 frame. “It’s been a long time, so it’s good to go out there, pump some strikes, get a couple outs.”

The six-foot-six, 285-pound right-hander excelled in his first two years as a Blue Jay.

Drafted 11th overall in 2019, Manoah made 20 starts as a rookie in 2021, posting a 9-2 record and 3.22 earned-run average.

He finished third in American League Cy Young Award voting in 2022 after going 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA.

Injuries and underperformance plagued him over parts of the next two seasons. After recovering from elbow surgery, he didn’t get a call-up last year despite going 1-1 with a 2.97 ERA over seven starts for the triple-A Buffalo Bisons.

“I think if there’s anyone in the baseball industry that appreciates his competitiveness, it’s probably me and (pitching coach) Pete (Walker),” said Blue Jays manager John Schneider. “He did a lot of really good things for us. So I’m glad that he’s back healthy.”

The Blue Jays designated Manoah for assignment in the heart of the stretch drive last year. Toronto went on to win the East Division title and reached the Fall Classic before falling to the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games.

“I understand the business side of it and where I was in my rehab and all that stuff,” Manoah said. “When you’re trying to go for a World Series, roster spots are limited and you need guys that are there.

“Obviously (the activation of outfielder Anthony) Santander was more important than me at that point.”

Manoah said he’s proud that he made an impact during his time in Toronto.

“Just being a good teammate, being able to make some friendships and relationships that will last forever,” he said. “That’s what I look back on the most.

“And we won a lot of ball games too, so that was always fun.”

Manoah added he had no regrets over his time in the Ontario capital, which included an unsettled 2023 campaign.

He was demoted to the rookie-level Florida Complex League in June of that year, was called up in July and then sent down to triple-A in August.

Manoah reportedly refused to report to the Bisons on the expected timeline and didn’t pitch once he eventually arrived. The Blue Jays shut him down that September after he received multiple injections in his pitching arm.

“Just dealing with adversity in this league is, you know, everyone goes through it,” Manoah said. “Understanding that and continuing to believe in yourself is probably the biggest thing.”

Manoah was claimed off waivers by Atlanta in late September but never pitched for the Braves. He became a free agent and signed a one-year, US$1.95-million deal with the Angels.

“Any time you switch teams, it’s kind of a new start, a new beginning,” Manoah said. “You just take it from there and give it all you’ve got. I’m super happy to be here in this clubhouse, to be with these guys, and I’m looking forward to winning a lot of ball games.”

Manoah spent about seven weeks on the injured list this spring due to a finger issue. He said he dropped a weight on the tip of his finger while doing some arm care in January and eventually lost the nail.

“I’m just glad that I got a little nub back and it’s all behind me,” Manoah said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 8, 2026.

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press

TORONTO — Shakira Austin sank a pair of free throws with 17 seconds left to play as the Washinton Mystics spoiled the Toronto Tempo’s WNBA debut with a 68-65 victory on Friday.

Austin was then fouled again, making two more free throws with 10 seconds to go to clinch the Mystics win.

Austin and Kiki Iriafen each had a double-double for Washington (1-0) in the season opener for both teams. Austin had 18 points and 11 rebounds. Iriafen had 12 points and 16 boards.

Marina Mabrey led all scorers with 27 points and pulled down seven boards for the expansion Tempo (0-1).

Brittney Sykes sank the first-ever basket in franchise history in front of a sold-out crowd of 8,210 at Coca-Cola Coliseum. She finished with 14 points.

Hamilton’s Kia Nurse, the only Canadian on Toronto’s roster, came off the bench with two points, a rebound and an assist.

Takeaways

Mystics: Washington’s superior shooting carried the day, with the Mystics going 25 for 64 (39.1 per cent) on field-goal attempts, including 5 for 24 (20.8 per cent) on three-pointers. Oddly, they struggled at the free-throw line, going 13 for 22 (59.1 per cent).

Tempo: Although the expansion team’s roster was just built within the past month, Toronto’s emphasis on acquiring veterans helped with its depth. The Tempo’s bench outscored their opponents 11-4.

Key moment

Laura Juskaite’s three-pointer with 1:53 left in the game tied it 63-63 for Toronto. Mabrey grabbed a defensive rebound on the ensuing Washington possession, leading to a Tempo timeout. Iriafen sank a free throw with 1:04 to play for a narrow one-point Mystics lead, but Mabrey answered with a pair of free throws of her own before before Austin clinched it.

Key stat

Washington more than doubled Toronto’s points in the paint, 40-16.

Up next

Toronto: Hosts the Seattle Storm on Wednesday.

Washington: Hosts the New York Liberty on Sunday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 8, 2026.

John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press

TORONTO —

Dylan Cease had 10 strikeouts over seven shutout innings as the Toronto Blue Jays ended a four-game losing skid with a 2-0 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday at Rogers Centre.

The Blue Jays scored both runs in the third inning against Angels starter Reid Detmers (1-3).

That was enough run support for Cease (3-1), who retired the first nine Angels in order and allowed five hits in all.

Jeff Hoffman worked the eighth inning and Louis Varland closed it out for his fifth save.

Los Angeles (15-24) outhit Toronto 6-3. The Angels have dropped three of their last five games.

Toronto (17-21) entered play just a half-game ahead of last-place Boston in the American League East Division standings.

George Springer scored on a Kazuma Okamoto single to put a charge into the sellout crowd of 41,923. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. later scored with a nifty slide on an Ernie Clement sacrifice fly.

Okamoto showed off his defence in the fourth when he speared a liner by Mike Trout to set up a 5-4-3 double-play.

Cease didn’t walk a batter. He trimmed his earned-run average by nearly a half-run to 2.58.

TAKEAWAYS

Blue Jays: Outfielder Addison Barger (ankle) is expected to return to the lineup on Saturday. Meanwhile, right-hander Jose Berrios (elbow) is to meet with a specialist Tuesday to go over his recent MRI exam results.

Angels: Detmers battled control issues early but managed to avoid a big inning. He issued six walks over 3 2/3 innings and threw 56 of 99 pitches for strikes.

KEY MOMENT

Cease gave up a two-out double to Jo Adell in the seventh inning but struck out Josh Lowe to end the threat.

KEY STAT

At the start of the day, Cease led all qualified AL starters in strikeout rate (33.7 per cent) and whiff rate (36.9 per cent).

COMING UP

Trey Yesavage (1-1, 0.96 earned-run average) was scheduled to start for the Blue Jays on Saturday against fellow right-hander Jack Kochanowicz (2-1, 3.05).

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 8, 2026.

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press

TORONTO — Toronto police say an 18-year-old man is facing multiple charges after two alleged hate-motivated assaults with a weapon against members of the Jewish community in incidents condemned by the prime minister and Ontario premier.

Police say they were called to the area of Bathurst Street and Lawrence Avenue on April 30 after a suspect in a vehicle allegedly used an imitation firearm to shoot at three “visibly identifiable” Jewish community members while they were walking outside.

Police say they responded to a report of another assault Thursday night when three people standing outside the Congregation Chasidei Bobov synagogue were also allegedly shot at with an imitation firearm.

They say one person was struck and had minor injuries, and both incidents are being investigated as suspected hate-motivated offences.

Police say officers executed a search warrant at a home in Vaughan, Ont., on Friday and seized evidence including two imitation firearms.

They say the suspect has been charged with four counts of assault with a weapon and two counts of possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

Acting deputy police chief Joe Matthews said the alleged assaults are “unacceptable.”

“While the weapons used were imitation firearms, the impacts are very real. These are criminal acts that we allege were meant to intimidate and cause fear,” he said at a press conference on Friday.

Premier Doug Ford said he was “disgusted” by the incidents and added they will not be tolerated.

“I expect that all those who are responsible will be punished to the full extent of the law,” Ford said in a social media post.

Prime Minister Mark Carney called the replica firearm shooting “an abhorrent act of antisemitism,” and said he’s relieved that an arrest has been made.

“Law enforcement agencies have my full support as they investigate, and as they work to bring justice for the victims and the wider Jewish community,” Carney said in a social media post, adding that Canada is committed to “combating the scourge of antisemitism and hate in all of its forms.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 8, 2026.

The Canadian Press

OTTAWA AND TORONTO — Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says one consular officer is now in the Canary Islands, where four Canadians on a cruise ship that was hit with a hantavirus outbreak are set to arrive Sunday morning.

Her comments came ahead of a Friday briefing by federal officials and after Ontario’s top doctor said two Ontario residents who were on the ship are in good spirits and showing no symptoms while they isolate in their rural community.

Anand told The Canadian Press that four Canadian passengers are still on the ship. She said dozens of foreign service staff have been tasked with responding to the hantavirus outbreak by reaching out to those affected and responding to questions from the public.

The MV Hondius, a cruise ship owned by a Dutch company, is carrying more than 140 asymptomatic passengers and crew. It’s set to dock early Sunday in Granadilla in Tenerife, a Spanish island off the coast of Africa.

“The consular officer has arrived in Tenerife,” Anand said Friday.

“Between geographic teams, multiple consular and emergency management teams, missions abroad, HR staff (and) financial teams, there are at least 50 Global Affairs staff members working directly on this issue,” she added, citing Canada’s embassies in The Hague and Madrid.

Earlier Friday, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health said a couple who were on the ship are now in the Grey Bruce Public Health Unit’s region, where they are being monitored for 45 days, the longest potential incubation period for the deadly virus.

Dr. Kieran Moore said the couple left the cruise ship on the remote South Atlantic island of St. Helena in late April, then flew to Johannesburg, South Africa. An infected person was on that flight, meaning the couple was exposed in two settings.

He said there is very little to no risk to the general public in Ontario.

The cruise ship has reported eight cases — three of them fatal — due to an outbreak of the rodent-borne Andes virus, the only hantavirus known to be capable of limited transmission between humans.

None of the Canadians who remain on the boat are from Ontario, Moore said.

He said a national teleconference for public health leaders was held Thursday to co-ordinate efforts between federal, provincial and territorial partners.

Despite the low risk of the virus spreading widely, he acknowledged that hearing words like “contact tracing” for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic can cause anxiety.

“I hope it doesn’t trigger too many individuals, but I do want to assure Ontarians we have a plan. We’re becoming experts in this type of activity on contact tracing, on monitoring, on testing, and ensuring Ontarians get the right care at the right time,” Moore said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 8, 2026.

Dylan Robertson, Allison Jones and Hannah Alberga, The Canadian Press

BROCKVILLE — Police in Brockville, Ont., say a mother and her two teenage daughters were the victims of a triple murder and a 17-year-old boy who was in a relationship with one of the teens has been arrested in the case.

Police say the accused is facing first-degree murder charges after the 49-year-old woman and her daughters, aged 15 and 17, were found dead inside a home on Thursday.

Insp. Darryl Boyd says the accused was in a relationship with one of the daughters, indicating that the incident was a case of intimate partner violence.

Boyd says it’s believed a knife was involved in the murders but police are still processing the crime scene.

Police say they responded to a home on Cartier Court in the border city’s north end where the woman and girls were found, and deemed their deaths suspicious.

Investigators later received information that led them to the city’s outskirts, where the suspect was arrested.

Boyd says the teenager has also been charged with assaulting a police officer during his arrest.

Boyd says while police have confirmed the incident was not random, they are still working to determine a motive.

Police say the teen appeared in court for a bail hearing on Friday and will remain in custody.

“This investigation is sensitive and complex. We recognize the profound impact this incident has on the families, loved ones and the community,” police said in a post on social media.

Brockville sits along the Canada-U.S. border between Ontario and New York state.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 8, 2026.

Catherine Morrison, The Canadian Press

HAMILTON — Hamilton Public Health says it is investigating a cluster of 13 confirmed cases of legionellosis, also known as legionnaires’ disease, an infection caused by bacteria found primarily in warm water environments.

Public health officials say the cases have been reported since Monday, and hospitals have been notified to watch for potential cases.

They say the agency is working to identify the sources of exposure, focusing on east Hamilton or Stoney Creek.

Hamilton Public Health says no common source has been identified at this time, and possible sources of exposure include nearby cooling towers.

The disease is spread when people breathe in small water droplets containing the bacteria, which are not spread from person to person.

“We have identified a cluster of legionellosis cases in the east end of the city and are focused on identifying potential sources of exposure,” said Dr. Brendan Lew, associate medical officer of health for Hamilton.

“We are working closely with local partners and reminding residents and facility operators of the importance of properly maintaining water systems and mist-producing devices.”

Toronto public health officials said earlier this week that nine cases of legionnaires’ disease had been confirmed there and the agency was investigating the source of the outbreak.

Legionnaires’ disease is caused by legionella bacteria that can lead to pneumonia, with symptoms that may include high fever and chills.

It occurs more often in individuals aged 50 and over, individuals with weakened immune systems such as organ transplant patients and individuals with lung conditions, cancer, diabetes and smokers.

-by Maan Alhmidi in Toronto

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 8, 2026.

The Canadian Press

Multiple post-secondary institutions across Canada say they’ve been impacted by a cyberattack targeting an education system used by thousands of schools globally.

Technology company Instructure says it launched an investigation on April 29 after detecting “unauthorized activity” in Canvas, a learning platform for schools that manages student coursework, grades and other education materials.

Instructure says information affected by the attack may include names, emails and messages exchanged within the platform, but there’s no evidence that passwords, financial information or government identifiers have been compromised.

Instructure says Canvas went off-line temporarily but is now available to use, and an investigation into the breach is ongoing with a third-party forensic firm and law enforcement.

In Ontario, schools including the University of Toronto, Mohawk College, OCAD University and Western University’s Ivey Business School were among the 9,000 schools impacted by the incident worldwide.

British Columbia schools including UBC and Simon Fraser University also reported being impacted by the incident, as well as the University of Alberta.

Canada’s federal privacy commissioner acknowledged a request for comment on the cyberattack but did not immediately provide a response.

The Instructure breach follows the October sentencing of a Massachusetts man who pleaded guilty to the cyber extortion of two companies, including education software firm PowerSchool, in a 2024 cyberattack affecting current and former students, parents and staff at some school boards in the U.S. and Canada.

PowerSchool later said it paid a ransom to the threat actor and provided credit monitoring and identity protection services to those impacted.

Privacy watchdogs in Ontario and Alberta investigated the PowerSchool breach, concluding in a report last November that more than five million Canadians were affected by the cyberattack and school boards lacked adequate response plans, among other issues.

The provincial privacy commissioners made recommendations in their reports, including that the boards review their agreements with PowerSchool, implement monitoring systems and ensure adequate breach policies are in place.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 8, 2026.

The Canadian Press

TORONTO — Two Ontario residents are isolating at home in their rural community after disembarking late last month from a cruise ship that is now the site of a deadly hantavirus outbreak. Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Kieran Moore, said the couple has no symptoms and the risk in the province is very low.

Moore spoke with The Canadian Press about what is known about the virus, how public health officials are monitoring it, and how the COVID-19 pandemic is shaping this outbreak response. This interview has been condensed.

This may be the first time many people have heard of a hantavirus. What should members of the public know about it?

Hantavirus is rare and normally spreads from animals to humans, but this South American strain in particular can spread from human to human, Moore said.

“Argentina has experience, and has shared that experience with the global community on how they follow up on it, and they’ve shared the samples, the genomics of the virus, so we understand the virus makeup. The one different thing is, for this virus, we still don’t have a vaccine, nor do we have a treatment, but we have some experimental treatments that may be effective. … So I hope you’re hearing: known virus, known pathway of spread, very limited human to human spread, but it does occur, and mainly from exposure in the Southern Hemisphere.”

What do we know about the Ontario couple who were exposed to this virus on the affected cruise ship? How are they doing?

They have no symptoms, have never had symptoms since leaving the cruise ship, and are in daily contact with public health officials, Moore said.

“If between the daily contact, they develop symptoms, they have a number to call, and we will co-ordinate the care and the testing and the followup for these individuals, and we’ll keep all of our health system partners informed if they ever do need treatment. We will monitor them for the full 45 days — roughly 45 days is the longest potential incubation period for this virus — and ensure that there’s low risk of transmission. They’re doing very well in good spirits and in regular contact with local public health and thankfully, doing what’s necessary to protect the rest of the community. … (It’s 45 days) from the flight that they took, leaving (the remote South Atlantic island of) St. Helena going to Johannesburg, because there was a sick individual on that flight. So not only were they exposed on the ship, they were exposed on the flight. So we’re being as cautious as possible, so 45 days from April 25.”

Public health officials must have learned a lot of lessons during the COVID-19 pandemic. How are those being applied in this situation?

The need for strong communication and collaboration was a key lesson and is especially necessary in an outbreak that happens at sea involving passengers from more than 20 countries, Moore said.

“We want to ensure that we’re as consistent as other nations at protecting and preventing this type of spread. Luckily, this virus is a low-risk virus to spread to others, and the WHO has declared this a low-risk event for the globe, but there’s always lessons learned. This is so unique to happen on a ship in the middle of the Atlantic, having transmission probably in Argentina, and then brought on board, and so there will be lessons learned on how to identify it even earlier, identifying risk, and then having these global meetings where we are all consistent in our approach to limit the spread.”

Talk of isolation and contact tracing is bringing up memories of the pandemic for some people. Is that colouring how we are viewing this outbreak?

Moore said he wants to reassure people this is not COVID.

“I have tremendous empathy to the public. I hope it doesn’t trigger too many individuals, but I do want to assure Ontarians, we have a plan. We’ve become experts in this type of activity, on contact tracing, on monitoring, on testing and ensuring Ontarians get the right care at the right time. So we’re on it. We are not traumatized by this. This is our expertise.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 8, 2026.

Allison Jones, The Canadian Press

BATH, ONTARIO — Provincial police are investigating the death of an inmate at Millhaven Institution in Bath, near Kingston, Ont.

Police say there was an incident involving inmates at the institution around 10 p.m. Sunday and one inmate suffered life-threatening injuries.

They say he was taken to a local hospital, where he died Tuesday.

OPP say the inmate has been identified as 28-year-old Darian Daignault.

They say an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death.

Police say investigators are working with the office of the chief coroner, the Forensic Pathology Service and Correctional Service Canada.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 8, 2026.

The Canadian Press