The Mets’ rotation takes another hit.
A week after Frankie Montas was shut down for a significant period of time with a lat strain, the Mets’ rotation took another blow with Sean Manaea being shut down with a right oblique strain. According to MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo, Manaea is likely to start the season on the Injured List.
Manaea, who returned to the Mets on a three-year, $75 million contract, was the Mets’ de facto ace in 2024, tossing 181 and two-thirds innings with a 3.47 ERA. In the second half of the year, Manaea adjusted his arm angle and saw great results, leading to a stretch run that helped the Mets secure a Wild Card spot and, eventually, make the National League Championship Series.
With Opening Day just four weeks away, the Mets need to take a frank look at their pitching depth and decide whether or not the current crop of starting pitchers will be enough to get them through the early part of the season. While it sounds like Manaea may not miss much regular season time, oblique injuries tend to linger, and the Mets were already needing to dip into their reserves for rotation help with Montas likely out for most of the first half.