The New York Mets' preparations for the upcoming season have taken a significant hit with the news of left-hander Sean Manaea suffering a right oblique strain. Manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed on Monday, February 24, 2025, during the team’s spring training camp, located in Port St. Lucie, Florida, and revealed the pitcher will be shut down from throwing for at least the next few weeks, likely placing him on the injured list as the season begins.
Manaea, who had been viewed as the Mets' second starter behind Kodai Senga, expressed disappointment over the situation. “It could take seven, 14, 21 days to heal,” Mendoza indicated, providing insight on the recovery timeline, noting the importance of building Manaea back up before he starts throwing again.
Initially feeling discomfort at the beginning of spring training, Manaea soldiered on, continuing to pitch until the pain plateaued, and eventually led to the MRI examination, which confirmed the strain. He commented, "From my end, it's very, very disappointing. I hate being injured, not out there pitching and doing my job. It sucks and I'm going to do everything I can to get there as healthy and as quick as possible. It still doesn't mask the fact of how disappointed I am."
This injury is the latest blow to the Mets’ starting rotation, which has already faced the challenge of Frankie Montas suffering from a high-grade lat strain. The team is reeling as two prominent pitchers are sidelined just before the start of the season, raising concerns about their overall depth. “You hate to see it, especially before we get to March, two of your guys are going down,” Mendoza lamented, hinting at the challenges the team faces.
The 33-year-old Manaea had enjoyed considerable success with the Mets last season, posting impressive statistics with a record of 12-6 and regionally entering the offseason with much anticipation. His performance led to the organization committing to him with a lucrative three-year contract worth $75 million. Now, his absence leaves the team scrambling for viable replacements as they plan their opening rotation.
The Mets have been vocal about their depth, but the current scenario is testing it significantly. Senga is expected to take on the primary starting role, with pitchers such as Clay Holmes, David Peterson, and newly acquired talents—including Griffin Canning, Paul Blackburn, and Tylor Megill—potentially stepping up to fill the gaps during Manaea's recovery.
Mendoza reassured fans, noting, “The good news is the tendon is not involved, the rib cage is not involved. It's just straight muscle, so he's going to be shut down for a couple of weeks—and then we will reassess.” While this development is promising, oblique injuries are notoriously tricky and can linger longer than expected, complicative factors for both Manaea’s progression and the team’s lineup.
The Mets expect most of their depth will be tested throughout this season. The front office led by president of baseball operations David Stearns is contemplating potential adjustments to the roster to mitigate the impact these injuries may have. Discussions about acquiring additional pitchers to fill roles are underway, though they may explore options from within the system before making any moves.
Following the announcement of Manaea's injury, the team must navigate the road ahead strategically. The current roster needs to gel during these early days of spring training to pave the way for success—and it’s clear the pressure is on the remaining rotation members to establish their capabilities before the season kicks off.
Meanwhile, the Mets are not only dealing with pitcher injuries; they also lost reserve infielder Nick Madrigal to a fractured left shoulder during training, marking another hurdle as the team faces challenges heading toward the season. With Kuala Lumpur's potential trade-offs looming due to injuries, the franchise needs to stay focused and adaptable as 2025 begins.
The Mets will need to rely on their resilience through these tumultuous early moments, hoping to see Manaea return soon and return to a top form. The coming weeks will be telling for both him and the team — as they seek to recover from these setbacks and set their course for success.