Manaea takes first step toward hoped-for bounceback

JUPITER, Fla. – Mets left-hander Sean Manaea is in year two of a three-year deal worth $75 million. He hopes that this year is far better than his 2025 season.

Last year, Manaea was supposed to be the man leading the pitching staff into the postseason. There was a good reason the Mets were thinking that way: During his walk year in 2024, Manaea played a huge role in helping New York go deep into the playoffs before it bowed out to the Dodgers in the National League Championship Series.

Manaea’s best game in that postseason was in Game 3 of the NL Division Series against the Phillies, when he allowed one run in seven strong innings as the Mets won, 7-2.

But 2025 turned out to be forgettable. Not only did the Mets fall short of expectations, Manaea missed the first half of the year because of a strained right oblique muscle and loose bodies in his left elbow.

When he returned to action after the All-Star break, Manaea had a tough time going deep into games. He had zero quality starts, and he posted a 5.64 ERA, allowing 38 runs and 13 homers in 60 2/3 innings over 15 games.

Manaea has turned the page. He spent most of Spring Training on the backfields until Friday night, when he pitched three solid innings in a 2-0 loss to the Marlins at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. His only blemish came in the first inning, when Connor Norby took a 3-2 pitch over the left-field wall for a home run.

Manaea then kept Miami scoreless during the next two innings, striking out one without allowing a hit.

“I liked what I saw, especially that cutter in to righties,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “He had movement just enough to get off the barrel. I like how he used all of his pitches. Three innings of work and 33 pitches.”

Manaea said he felt great on the mound, but he acknowledged that his pitches needed a little work.

“I felt healthy. For the most part, I was throwing strikes,” Manaea said. “It was nice to face some hitters other than your teammates. We were using [my teammates] in a game setting.”

Manaea’s four-seamer is usually clocked in the low 90s, but Friday it was clocked at 89 mph. However, he didn’t seem worried – it’s just Spring Training.

“It was a little weird. It’s only Spring Training. I feel healthy. I’m not worried about it,” Manaea said.

Said Mendoza, “I’m not going to make too much out of the first start. I like the movement on his pitches. He says he feels really good physically. I’m not concerned.”