Sean Manaea Back in Action for the Mets!
The New York Mets have officially reinstated left-hander Sean Manaea from the 60-day injured list, marking his season debut and a significant boost for the team. Right-hander Austin Warren was optioned to Triple-A to make room for Manaea, who will immediately join the active roster.
Manaea, 33, has been sidelined throughout the season due to an oblique strain and a loose body in his left elbow. His return comes at a crucial time as the Mets are locked in a tight battle with the Phillies for dominance in the NL East. While he's initially slated to pitch in relief of Clay Holmes, he's expected to transition into a rotation role in the near future.
While Manaea's rehab starts resulted in a less-than-stellar 6.27 ERA across 18 2/3 innings, his presence is still a welcome addition to the Mets' pitching staff. He was, after all, their major expenditure on the starting pitching market during the past offseason.
A Major Investment Paying Off?
The Mets' three-year, $75 million guarantee to Manaea reflects their confidence in his abilities. Last year, he delivered a strong performance, posting a 3.47 ERA in 181 2/3 innings, making 32 starts, and striking out 24.9% of his opponents.
Manaea's return means the Mets' projected starting rotation for the 2025 season is finally healthy, with Kodai Senga and Frankie Montas also recently returning from their own IL stints. This healthy trio, along with Clay Holmes and David Peterson, forms a formidable rotation for the Mets.
The team's need for additional starting pitching help has decreased significantly with everyone healthy. However, injuries to Griffin Canning, Paul Blackburn, and Tylor Megill suggest the Mets might still explore options for additional starting pitching depth.