The Mets are making changes to their starting lineup for Sunday’s matchup against the Nationals.
Sean Manaea will start the final game of the series, followed by Clay Holmes, who will come in from the bullpen.
Holmes, who has experience in the bullpen with 307 relief appearances over his eight-year MLB career, including a couple of All-Star nods with the Yankees, is set to transition into a starting role. At 32, he signed a three-year, $38 million deal with the Mets and pitched a career-high 155 innings this season across more than 30 starts.
This marks a significant increase from his previous best of 70 innings with the Pirates and Yankees in 2021.
Meanwhile, Manaea has primarily been a starter throughout his ten-year career, only appearing in 32 relief outings over 240 games.
The 33-year-old southpaw recently re-signed with the Mets for three years at $75 million after achieving a 12-6 record last season but struggled earlier this year due to oblique injuries.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza mentioned that these decisions are easier when the players have had prior experience. He noted before the Mets’ recent 5-3 loss to the Nationals, “They understand it’s a different routine, but they’ve done it, so that helps.”
Holmes pitched four innings with two runs against the Padres recently, while Manaea finished with a strong final five innings in an 8-3 victory.
Mendoza acknowledged that the strategy is also influenced by the left-handed heavy lineup of the Nationals, featuring players like James Wood and CJ Abrams. When asked about adjustments for Sunday’s game, he stated that it would depend on various factors, including the game situation and how the pitchers are performing.
The Mets have been leaning on a rotation featuring three rookies: Nolan McLean, Brandon Sprout, and Jonaton. All-Star David Peterson has struggled lately, with a 10.90 ERA in his last four games, while former ace Kodai Senga is facing difficulties since his demotion to Triple-A Syracuse.
Senga is scheduled for a live batting practice this week, but Mendoza has expressed uncertainty about his inclusion in the postseason roster.
