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Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Wednesday that Manaea will remain in the team's bullpen for the time being, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
The Mets are in the midst of nine straight games without an off day, and Mendoza had mentioned previously that he would use this stretch to insert a sixth starter into the rotation. However, he feels good about where his starting five is at, so the Mets will keep the status quo for now. Manaea has made two relief appearances this season, allowing just one run with a 4:4 K:BB over five innings of work.
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Mets' Sean Manaea: Effective in long relief Thursday
Rotowire
Manaea allowed one run on four hits and two walks over 3.2 innings of relief in Thursday's loss to the Giants. He struck out two.
After taking over for David Peterson with one out in the fifth inning, Manaea saved the rest of the Mets' bullpen by lasting the rest of the game and throwing 74 pitches (44 strikes). Manaea's fastest pitch of the night was just 91.3 mph and he routinely sat below 90 mph with his two-seamer and four-seamer, but he's made it work with the reduced velocity so far, posting a 1.80 ERA and 4:4 K:BB over two long-relief appearances covering five innings. The 34-year-old lefty appears to be a long way from regaining a spot in the rotation, however, even if an injury were to open up a slot.
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Mets' Sean Manaea: Headed for bullpen
Rotowire
Manaea will not begin the season in the Mets' starting rotation, although manager Carlos Mendoza indicated Saturday that the veteran southpaw would be used in a piggyback role, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
Mendoza didn't specify which starter would get an abbreviated workload to accommodate Manaea, however. Manaea's velocity has been down this spring, and getting used in a long-relief role could buy him more time to round into form. His actual Grapefruit League results have been solid as he has a 3.72 ERA and 9:2 K:BB in 9.2 innings. Freddy Peralta, David Peterson, Nolan McLean, Clay Holmes and Kodai Senga will open the season in the rotation.
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Mets' Sean Manaea: Velocity ticks down again
Rotowire
Manaea struck out four and didn't allow a baserunner over four scoreless innings during Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins. According to Max Goodman of NJ.com, the left-hander averaged 88.3 mph with his fastball and topped out at 89.9 mph.
Four perfect frames against most of Miami's likely Opening Day lineup are hard to ignore, but Manaea saw his fastball velocity drop after he averaged 89 mph during his previous spring start last week. The 34-year-old has never been a flamethrower, but he averaged 91.8 mph on his fastball last year and has been over 91 mph in each of the past five seasons. Manaea has indicated that he's not worried about the reduced velocity, but it's worth keeping an eye on as spring training winds down.
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Mets' Sean Manaea: Unconcerned by down velocity
Rotowire
Manaea gave up three runs on six hits with four strikeouts and one walk over 2.2 innings during Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals. According to Max Goodman of NJ.com, the left-hander averaged 89 mph with his fastball but said he isn't concerned by the lower velocity.
Manaea averaged 91.9 mph with his fastball last season, but he was limited to 15 appearances due to elbow issues and struggled to a 5.64 ERA. Pitchers will often experience a lower velocity during spring training while building up, so it's not necessarily a major concern. However, seeing Manaea's fastball regain some zip before Opening Day would go a long toward reassuring fantasy GMs thinking about using a late-round pick on the veteran southpaw.
Mets' Sean Manaea: Rediscovers arm slot over offseason
Rotowire
Manaea worked with Tread Athletics this offseason and believes he's rediscovered his ideal arm slot, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
Manaea experienced a breakthrough in 2024 with a lowered arm slot, but he struggled in 2025 after lowering his arm slot even further. He's now got it back closer to where it was in 2024 and said it's "definitely cleaned up and feels a lot better now." The left-hander dealt with a loose body in his elbow last season and didn't have surgery, so the possibility exists that the issue will resurface in 2026. However, Manaea is fully healthy right now and feels good about where he is early on in Mets camp.
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