Skip to main content
Inside The Mets

Mets' Sean Manaea: 'I Consider Myself a Starter'

The New York Mets have bumped left-hander Sean Manaea out of the starting rotation to begin the year. Manaea reacts to the move.
Pat Ragazzo|
Mar 6, 2026; Jupiter, Florida, USA; New York Mets pitcher Sean Manaea (59) pitches against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images
Mar 6, 2026; Jupiter, Florida, USA; New York Mets pitcher Sean Manaea (59) pitches against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images | Rhona Wise-Imagn Images

In this story:

New York Mets

It hasn't been a great spring for New York Mets left-hander Sean Manaea.

On Saturday, manager Carlos Mendoza announced that the Mets will piggyback Manaea behind a starter to begin the year.

The Mets will utilize Manaea as a long reliever for at least the first two turns in the rotation.

After this strategy was revealed, Manaea reacted to the news in front of his locker at Clover Park.

"I consider myself a starter. To not be that is frustrating. But at the end of the day, I'm going to let my pitching do the work in whatever capacity that is and go from there," Manaea said.

"I just want to go out, pitch, and help this team win," Manaea added.

Manaea has endured a rough showing in camp. The southpaw's fastball velocity has been down around 88 mph (three mph slower than his average last season). He has posted a 3.72 ERA in three spring starts. Moving Manaea to the bullpen shows the Mets concern over his down velocity.

Manaea had a rough year in 2025, where he produced a 5.64 ERA in 15 appearances and 12 starts. Manaea missed significant time with an oblique strain and a loose body in his left elbow.

Despite having a loose body in his pitching elbow, Manaea did not undergo surgery to remove it.

The Mets re-signed Manaea to a three-year, $75 million deal last offseason. Manaea had a breakout campaign for the Mets in 2024, where he went 12-6 with a 3.47 ERA in 32 starts.

Manaea saw success in '24 after lowering his arm angle. Last year, the lefty's arm angle was "too low" and now he's working to rectify it.

He will do so from the bullpen to start the regular season. If the Mets choose to go with a six-man rotation after the first month, Manaea could find his way back into this unit if he pitches well. For now, this strategy doesn't appear to be in the cards.

Bullpen Implications

Manaea going to the bullpen could have implications on who receives the eighth-and-final spot.

At the moment, it's between veteran righty Craig Kimbrel, and lefties Bryan Hudson and Dick Lovelady.

The Mets could have went with Hudson or Lovelady to have a second lefty on this unit. However, Manaea now fills that role as the complement to high-leverage southpaw Brooks Raley.

If you like our content, choose Sports Illustrated as a preferred source on Google.

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations

Published
Pat Ragazzo
PAT RAGAZZO

Pat Ragazzo is the main publisher and reporter for the Mets On SI site. He has been covering the Mets since 2018. Pat was selected as The Top Reporter & Publisher of the Year 2024 by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP) for outstanding leadership, dedication, and commitment to the industry. He has appeared on several major TV Networks including: NBC4, CBS2, FOX5, PIX11 and NY1; and is a recurring guest on ESPN New York 880 AM and WFAN Sports Radio 101.9 FM. Pat is also the Mets insider for Barstool Sports personality Frank "The Tank" Fleming’s podcast. You can follow him on Twitter/X and Instagram: @ragazzoreport.

Share on XFollow ragazzoreport
Home/News