Mets' Sean Manaea improves in second rehab start

This outing starkly contrasted with Manaea's previous rehab start on Friday against the High-A Wilmington Blue Rocks. The 33-year-old lasted only 1.2 innings during that outing, giving up four runs (three earned) on four hits with two strikeouts.

Manaea is now one step closer to making his much-anticipated return to the Mets rotation after he had a career year last season during his first year in New York. In 32 starts for the Amazins' in 2024, Manaea went 12-6 with a 3.47 ERA and 184 strikeouts across a career-high 181.2 innings.

The veteran lefty also had a nice postseason for the Mets. Manaea picked up his first career postseason win during Game 3 of the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies, when he struck out six batters over 7+ innings. He followed that up with another sharp outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 of the NLCS, when he allowed three earned runs over 5+ innings with seven punchouts.

Manaea's great first season in Flushing, Queens, resulted in the Mets re-signing their newfound ace on a three-year, $75 million deal during the offseason. He hasn't gotten the opportunity to pitch yet this season, but when he does, Manaea would fortify a rotation that is already among the best in the game.