Sean Manaea will not be in the starting lineup for the New York Mets’ season opener, the team announced Saturday.
Manaea, 34, will start the season in the bullpen, while Freddy Peralta, David Peterson, Nolan McLean, Clay Holmes and Koday Senga make up head coach Carlos Mendoza’s five-man starting rotation.
advertise
[Draft your Yahoo Fantasy Baseball team for the 2026 MLB Season]
Mendoza admitted he had six starting lineup candidates in Grapefruit League play, but opted to have a day off after the Mets’ season opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates and go with a five-man rotation. However, there are nine games in the next nine days. This may require a six-man rotation.
“If everyone is healthy, we’re going to have to make some tough decisions,” Mendoza told reporters Saturday. “One of these guys is going to play that role.”
The Mets captain added that Manaea could pitch in the first over of the rotation, carrying one of the starts. But he did not disclose the specific time.
As expected, Manaea is not happy with the decision but said he will do whatever the team needs him to do.
“I consider myself a starter,” Manaea said, via MLB.com. “If it doesn’t, it’s frustrating. But at the end of the day, I’m just going to let my pitching do the job in whatever capacity it is and go from there.”
advertise
Manaea posted a 3.72 ERA with nine strikeouts in 9 2/3 spring innings. He also allowed seven hits. There are concerns that Manaea’s velocity has decreased since he suffered left elbow and slash injuries last season. According to The Athletic, his fastball is 3 mph slower, averaging 88 mph, and his cleanup ball is 5 mph slower.
However, Mendoza insisted Manaea’s speed wasn’t a factor in him not being in the rotation for the season opener. Manaea told reporters he believes he will work even harder once the regular season begins and the adrenaline will build in the standings games.
advertise
Last season, Manaea had a 5.64 ERA in 12 starts (and 15 total appearances). He struck out 75 in 60 2/3 innings and posted a career-high strikeout rate of 11.1 Ks per 9 innings.