Sports
Sean Manaea to Pitch Relief for Mets, Not Join Rotation
Sean Manaea will begin the season in the New York Mets' bullpen. Manager Carlos Mendoza said Manaea will work in a "piggyback" role, following a starter for the first few rotation cycles.
Left-hander Sean Manaea will start the season in a relief role for the New York Mets. Carlos Mendoza told reporters that Manaea would work in a "piggyback" role, following the starter for the initial rotations. Mendoza said the team was honest with all pitchers at the beginning of camp. The Mets acquired Freddy Peralta from the Milwaukee Brewers in January. Mendoza noted that the team had six pitchers performing well, necessitating some difficult choices. Manaea signed a three-year, $75 million contract. The Mets plan to begin with a rotation of Freddy Peralta, David Peterson, Nolan McLean, Clay Holmes, and Kodai Senga.
Key Facts
- Sean Manaea has been assigned to the New York Mets bullpen.
- Manaea will pitch in relief rather than join the starting rotation.
- Carlos Mendoza said Manaea will have a "piggyback" role initially.
- Manaea's "piggyback" role will have him relieve the starter in the first couple of rotations.
- The Mets starting rotation includes Freddy Peralta, David Peterson, Nolan McLean, Clay Holmes, and Kodai Senga.
- Manaea has 210 starts in his 243 regular-season career appearances.
- Manaea went 12-6 with a 3.47 ERA in 2024, finishing 11th in NL Cy Young Award balloting.
- Manaea had a 5.72 ERA in Grapefruit League play.
Primary Source
Research Sources
- WHAS 11 Louisville — Mets veteran Sean Manaea will open the season in a relief role rather than the starting rotation
- Empire Sports Media — Sean Manaea excluded from initial Mets' rotation; will fill 'piggyback' role