Mets’ Rotation Update: Sean Manaea’s Role Uncertain
It seems Sean Manaea won’t be immediately joining the Mets’ rotation, barring any injuries to the current starting pitcher.
Even with the team facing nine consecutive games, coach Carlos Mendoza confirmed on Wednesday that he intends to maintain a five-man rotation. During spring training, he suggested that adding a sixth starter could be an option later on, but for now, he appears to be sticking with his current plan.
“We need to keep our guys in their routines,” Mendoza stated before the Mets suffered a 7-2 loss to the Diamondbacks at Citi Field. “If we have to explore that route, we will. But as things stand, I’m not going to shift to six.”
In light of the recent game, Manaea stepped into an extended relief role once again, following David Peterson’s exit after five innings.
In his four innings on the mound, he threw 70 pitches and gave up five hits, alongside two walks and two earned runs.
“I think we’re making progress every day,” Manaea commented, recalling how he was removed from the rotation at the end of spring training.
A factor affecting his performance seems to be his pitching speed.
During this outing, he averaged 88.4 mph on his four-seam fastball, which is a slight decrease from the 89.9 mph he logged in his previous appearance.
When asked about his feelings on not being included as the sixth starter, Manaea replied, “You won’t be disappointed. I’m here to help this team win however I can. This is my role now, and I’m genuinely happy with what I’m doing.”
Coach Mendoza emphasized that maintaining a five-man rotation is primarily about ensuring starting pitchers have adequate recovery time.
“We wanted to stay flexible in case someone feels they might need an extra day, and we can always make some adjustments if necessary,” Mendoza explained. “This idea started in camp and it’s relevant now.”
Moreover, Carson Benge managed to secure a single in the ninth inning, breaking a hitless streak of 0-for-24 for the month of April. This was his first hit of the month.
