By Sunday 
Injuries Leave Rotation in Crisis Just Weeks Before Season Begins
The New York Mets’ hopes for a strong start to the season have taken a serious hit. In a matter of days, the team has lost two key offseason pitching acquisitions, leaving their starting rotation in a precarious position. With Opening Day fast approaching, the Mets are now without a combined $109 million worth of pitching talent.
Frankie Montas Shut Down for Months
The first blow came last week when the Mets announced that right-hander Frankie Montas would be sidelined due to a high-grade lat strain. Montas, who signed a two-year, $34 million contract, is expected to be shut down for at least six to eight weeks. After that, he will require another six weeks to rebuild strength and return to pitching shape. That timeline means the Mets likely won’t see Montas back on the mound until late May.
This setback is particularly frustrating for both Montas and the Mets, as the veteran pitcher was expected to be a major contributor to the rotation. Now, they will have to manage the early part of the season without him.
Sean Manaea Joins Injury List
As if losing Montas wasn’t enough, the Mets suffered another setback when left-hander Sean Manaea was ruled out with a right oblique strain. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed the news, stating that Manaea would begin the season on the injured list.
Manaea, who returned to Queens on a three-year, $75 million deal, is viewed as one of the team’s top starters. While the Mets are optimistic that he will return sometime in April, oblique injuries are notoriously unpredictable.
“The Mets are viewing Manaea’s injury as relatively short term and expect him back sometime in April, sources briefed on the matter said. While that is the current timeline, oblique injuries are notoriously tricky,” The Athletic’s Will Sammon reported.
Manaea was one of the Mets’ best starters last season, helping lead them to an NLCS appearance. In 32 starts, he posted a 3.47 ERA, 1.084 WHIP, and struck out 184 batters in 181 2/3 innings. Losing him, even for a few weeks, puts additional strain on an already thinning rotation.
Mets Rotation Now Faces Depth Concerns
With Montas and Manaea sidelined, the Mets’ starting rotation has been left shorthanded. As of now, the group consists of Kodai Senga, David Peterson, and newly signed Clay Holmes. Beyond that, the Mets will have to rely on depth options such as Tylor Megill, Griffin Canning, and Paul Blackburn.
The sudden depletion of starting pitching talent raises concerns about how the Mets will navigate the early part of the season. While they still have strong arms in the rotation, the lack of depth could pose significant challenges, especially if additional injuries arise.
Can the Mets Weather the Storm?
For a team with postseason ambitions, losing two high-priced pitchers before Opening Day is far from ideal. The Mets will now have to rely on their remaining starters to carry the load while hoping Montas and Manaea can return without setbacks.
As the season begins, all eyes will be on how the Mets manage their rotation crisis. If their depth holds up, they may be able to stay afloat until reinforcements arrive. If not, they could find themselves scrambling for solutions much sooner than expected.