Sean Manaea’s injury has shaken up the New York Mets’ pitching staff, leaving a hole in the starting rotation for now. The Mets were counting on the left-handed pitcher to be a key contributor this season, but now, with Manaea sidelined, manager Carlos Mendoza has to look for alternatives to fill the gap. “We were really counting on him,” Mendoza said. “It’s unfortunate, but injuries are part of the game. We have depth, but it’s never easy to lose a guy who you expect to be a regular part of the rotation.”
The injury’s specifics haven’t been fully disclosed, but Manaea will be out for an unspecified period, and the Mets must adapt. While Mendoza expressed confidence in the staff’s overall depth, he acknowledged the challenge of having one of his projected starters unavailable for the foreseeable future. “Right now, it’s about making sure we get through this period and don’t rush anyone back,” Mendoza explained. “We have other guys who need to step up, but it’s going to take a collective effort.”
Manaea’s absence is especially tough considering the Mets’ early struggles with consistency in their rotation. Losing him for any time means the team will have to lean on pitchers who might not have been counted on for as many innings this early in the season.
The injury marks a setback for Manaea, who had been hoping to build off a promising offseason and earn a reliable spot in the Mets’ rotation. After spending time with the San Francisco Giants in 2023, Manaea sought a fresh start with the Mets. Though he had shown flashes of his potential, Manaea’s career has been hampered by injuries over the years.
Manaea’s past includes a standout run with the Oakland Athletics, where he was a key figure in the rotation for several seasons, even throwing a no-hitter in 2018. However, his time in San Francisco was marked by inconsistency and injuries, including shoulder issues that kept him off the mound in previous years. This latest injury to his pitching arm is a disappointing development for Manaea, who had hoped to solidify his place in a Mets rotation with higher expectations for 2025.
Currently, the Mets are focused on getting Manaea healthy and will adjust accordingly. The team remains hopeful that Manaea will return to form and contribute again to their pitching staff later in the season.