Mets Facing Major Decision After Sean Manaea News

On May 14, MLB.com Mets beat reporter Anthony DiComo provided injury updates on Manaea, Montas and forgotten SP Paul Blackburn.

"The most obvious future rotation alterations involve Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea," DiComo wrote on Wednesday. "Montas strained his right lat early in camp and has been sidelined ever since. Manaea subsequently pulled his right oblique and suffered a setback during his recovery."

"Both are still on the mend, with Montas tiptoeing closer to a Minor League rehab assignment and Manaea beginning to throw off a mound," the insider went on. Adding: "Both should return in June."

Later, DiComo also noted that Blackburn is "set to stretch out to around 75 pitches Friday [May 15] for Double-A Binghamton, with one more rehab start to follow." 

"Despite not having an obvious rotation spot up for grabs, team officials want Blackburn to stretch out to a full starter's workload while he's rehabbing from a bout of right knee inflammation," the reporter explained. "Their logic is simple: if the Mets don't do so now, it'll be much more difficult to do so later."

This creates a scenario, barring new injuries or setbacks, where the Mets could have eight viable starting pitchers ready to go in early June.

DiComo predicted that they could permanently move to a six-man rotation at that time. But that still leaves two starters on the outside looking in.

Which could mean an undeserving demotion to Triple-A Syracuse (Tylor Megill, David Peterson), or trading one for a need (Griffin Canning).

As for Blackburn, DiComo stated that "if Montas isn't ready by the first week of June, Blackburn would be a perfect candidate to serve as a temporary sixth starter." Otherwise, he's expected to serve as a "long man out of the bullpen."