Sean Manaea Tosses Encouraging Start for Mets

Things have not been smooth sailing for Manaea since his career-year in 2024, which resulted in the Mets re-signing him to a three-year, $75 million deal during the ensuing offseason.

After missing nearly the entire first half of 2025 with an oblique strain, the lefty hurler could not regain his dominant 2024 form. He logged a disappointing 5.76 ERA in 10 starts, resulting in a demotion to the bullpen.

Manaea wound up beginning this season in New York's bullpen after his velocity dropped dramatically during spring training. But after beginning the year with a 6.85 ERA out of the bullpen, things are finally looking upward for Manaea.

The 34-year-old has seen his results improve lately, with his velocity also ticking up. Before his start on Saturday, Manaea posted a 3.05 ERA over his last six outings as a reliever. He pitched four innings or more in three of them, including five innings against the Seattle Mariners on June 1; he allowed just one hit in that outing.

In 15 games (one start) this season, Manaea holds a 1-2 record with a 4.78 ERA, 51 strikeouts and a 1.35 WHIP in 49 innings pitched.

"That's the guy that we're going to need moving forward here," Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said after Saturday's game. "For him to go out there and give us a chance, he was pretty solid today against a pretty good lineup. Overall, that's the guy we saw in 2024."

The Mets could not have asked for a better outing from Manaea on Saturday, considering how thin their rotation is. He provided length, which was something New York has lacked from their starters over the last couple of games, didn't issue any walks and overall looked sharp against a really good Braves lineup, as Mendoza alluded to.

"I just feel really good. Excited with where I'm at and I just want to keep this train rolling," Manaea said of his start.

Manaea will almost certainly make another start for the Mets as their tough June schedule rolls on with the series finale against Atlanta tomorrow. They will then embark on a six-game road trip.