New York Mets finalize last two starting rotation spots

The Mets have made their decision on the last two spots in the starting rotation to join Clay Holmes, Kodai Senga, and David Peterson.

Mar 16, 2025; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets pitcher Tylor Megill (38) throws a pitch during first inningagainst the Houston Astros at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images | Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images

The New York Mets' rotation to kick off the season is now set.

Joining Clay Holmes, Kodai Senga, and David Peterson will be Griffin Canning and Tylor Megill.

Good for Tylor Megill making the Mets rotation. He stepped up down the stretch for NYM in 2024 and gave them some big innings
pic.twitter.com/HqOIPlTbyo

— Pat Ragazzo (@ragazzoreport) March 23, 2025

Holmes will start Opening Day in Houston. From there, Megill will start game two on Friday, and Canning is expected to start game three on Saturday as long as he comes out healthy in Sunday's spring training appearance.

Carlos Mendoza says that there's a "good chance" Griffin Canning will pitch game three for the Mets: pic.twitter.com/J9FFFpAYAl

— SNY (@SNYtv) March 23, 2025

That means Paul Blackburn begin the season out of the bullpen. The Mets still have Sean Manaea expected back by late April, so they will have to make a decision then whether Blackburn stays or goes. When Manaea returns, New York may be going to a six-man rotation.

Both Canning and Megill earned these last two spots with strong showings in spring training. Canning, who the Mets signed to a one-year deal for $4.25 million, tossed 10 innings, giving up just one run to go with 16 strikeouts. He will get one more start on Sunday and assuming he comes out of it healthy, he will get the series finale against the Astros.

Here's the Mets' Opening Day rotation, barring a last-minute injury:

1. Clay Holmes
2. Tylor Megill
3. Griffin Canning
4. David Peterson
5. Kodai Senga

Paul Blackburn appears headed to the bullpen.

— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) March 23, 2025

Megill was not quite as impressive as Canning, but still showed enough to be part of this rotation, at least until Manaea returns. The 29-year-old righty tossed 17 innings this spring with a 4.24 ERA and 18 strikeouts.

Read More: This Mets hurler must 'step up' amid pitcher injury woes

Megill has been down this path before, as he's made the team's rotation in previous years due to injuries to fellow starters. Consistency will be the key to Megill sticking on this roster past the first month of the season.

With Dedniel Núñez being optioned, the Mets' last spot on the pitching staff is down to Max Kranick and Huascar Brázoban. Blackburn will likely be the long man out of the bullpen. As he comes off his offseason spinal fluid leak surgery, it was going to be an uphill battle for him to crack this rotation, even with the injuries to Manaea and Frankie Montas.