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The Mets Have Experienced Unfortunate Injury Setback

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Apr 1, 2025 5:44 PM ET

The New York Mets won't have Sean Manaea for longer than originally anticipated.

Manaea missed the start of the 2025 season with a right oblique strain, but the Mets hoped the lefty could re-join the rotation later in April. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza revealed Tuesday that a setback will lengthen that timetable.

According to Mendoza, Manea felt discomfort while attempting to ramp up his throwing program. An MRI revealed inflammation, and he had a platelet-rich plasma injection on Monday.

The Mets shut down Manaea for another two weeks. He's now unlikely to make his season debut until no sooner than late May or early June.

"He's gonna go two weeks of no throwing, and then we've got to start building him back up again," Mendoza said.

Before the 2024 season, the Mets signed Manaea to a two-year, $24 million contract with an opt-out. The lefty anchored their rotation with a 3.47 ERA and 184 strikeouts in a career-high 181.2 innings before making four additional playoff starts.

Manaea adjusted his mechanics by dropping his arm slot in late July. Opponents batted .185/.252/.341 against him after the All-Star break.

After Manaea opted out, the Mets re-signed him to a three-year, $75 million contract. They also signed Frankie Montas, who is out indefinitely with a high-grade right lat strain sustained in February.

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 08: Sean Manaea #59 of the New York Mets reacts during Game 3 of the Division Series presented by Booking.com between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets at Citi Field on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 in New York, New York. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images)Rob Tringali/Getty Images

Paul Blackburn also opened the season on the injury list, so the Mets' pitching staff quickly faces a steep test.

Signed to a one-year, $4.25 million deal this offseason, Griffin Canning made the rotation after posting a 5.19 ERA for the Los Angeles Angels in 2024. Tylor Megill, David Peterson, and former New York Yankees closer Clay Holmes are starting alongside Kodai Senga, who makes his 2025 debut on Tuesday after appearing once for the Mets last year.

Along with their pitching injuries, the Mets opened the year without starting catcher Francisco Alvarez and second baseman Jeff McNeil. They split their first four games but have allowed just 10 combined runs to the Houston Astros and Miami Marlins.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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