Mets' Sean Manaea dominates in latest rehab start

Sean Manaea retired the final 15 batters he faced in his latest rehab start.

Oct 14, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; New York Mets pitcher Sean Manaea (59) greets teammates in the dugout after being relieved in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game two of the NLCS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The New York Mets saw some much-needed strong results out of one of their injured starting pitchers.

During his fourth rehab start and first for Triple-A Syracuse on Friday, lefty starting pitcher Sean Manaea dominated the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp as he gave up one earned run over 5.1 innings. Manaea allowed just two hits with seven strikeouts and no walks, while retiring the final 15 batters he faced.

Sean Manaea was dominant in his rehab outing with Triple-A Syracuse today 🔥

His final line: 5.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K (62 pitches/45 strikes)

He retired the final 15 batters he faced 💪 pic.twitter.com/onH3okPYzM

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) June 20, 2025

These were the results the Mets were hoping for from their 2024 ace after turning in back-to-back shaky rehab starts prior to this outing. Manaea continues working his way back from a right oblique strain he suffered during spring training, which has kept him out during the first three months of this season.

The lefty's return to the rotation could soon be on the horizon. Mike Puma of the New York Post reported on Friday that the Mets tentatively plan on Manaea returning in the first week of July during the ballclub's series against the Milwaukee Brewers; fellow injured starter Frankie Montas is also expected to make his first start of the year on Tuesday against the Atlanta Braves.

Mets are planning on Frankie Montas getting his first start on Tuesday against Atlanta. Tentatively planning on Sean Manaea for the Brewers series the first week of July.

— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) June 20, 2025

The 32-year-old's best rehab start comes when New York is currently mired in a season-long six-game losing streak. They begin a three-game weekend series on Friday against the Philadelphia Phillies, with whom they're tied in first place in the NL East.

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Manaea proved to be the ace of the Mets' pitching staff last season. In 32 starts, the lefty hurler posted a 12-6 record with a 3.47 ERA and 184 strikeouts across a career-high 181.2 innings pitched. Manaea also had a stellar postseason for the Mets, picking up his first career playoff victory during Game 3 of the NLDS against the Phillies, striking out six on three hits while giving up two earned runs over 7+ innings.

The lefty also picked up his second career playoff victory in Game 2 of the NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers, giving up two earned runs on two hits with seven strikeouts in 5+ innings.

Manaea's great first season pitching in Flushing, Queens, resulted in the Mets re-signing the lefty during the offseason to a three-year, $75 million deal. The Amazins' are now one step closer to having Manaea join their rotation, which has been decimated by injuries recently.