By Sunday 
Left-hander Cleared to Resume Throwing as Mets Eye His Return
In a season already filled with pitching uncertainties, the New York Mets finally received some welcome news. Left-hander Sean Manaea, a key part of their rotation, has been cleared to start throwing again after an MRI confirmed no lingering issues with his right oblique.
“He’s clear,” manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters on March 13. “He played catch for the first time two days ago, so yeah, he’s symptom-free, he’s doing good, and … he’s starting his throwing progression.”
For a team that has been navigating early injuries, seeing Manaea resume baseball activities is a significant boost. While he remains sidelined for now, his recovery appears to be tracking as expected.
A Promising Sign After a Frustrating Setback
Manaea’s injury surfaced shortly after spring training began, and by late February, the Mets had ruled him out for Opening Day. The initial prognosis projected a mid-to-late April return, a timeline that still holds, according to Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns.
For Manaea, the setback was a tough pill to swallow. “From my end, it’s very, very disappointing,” he admitted at the time. “I hate being injured. If I’m not out there pitching, doing my job, it sucks. I’m going to do everything I can to get there as healthy and as quick as possible.”
Now, with his throwing program officially underway, there’s growing optimism that he’ll rejoin the rotation sooner rather than later.
Building Back Up to Full Strength
The next phase of Manaea’s recovery will focus on steadily increasing the intensity and distance of his throwing. Mendoza outlined the plan, emphasizing a gradual approach.
“We got to pretty much build him back up as a starter, you know?” Mendoza said. “The good thing is he’s feeling good. There’s nothing going on there on that oblique, and now he just, you know, 75, 90, 120 [feet] then before he gets on the mound.”
Patience will be key. The Mets want to ensure that Manaea is not only healthy but fully prepared to handle a starter’s workload when he returns.
Coming Off a Career Year
Manaea is coming off the best season of his career. After signing a two-year, $28 million deal with the Mets before the 2024 season, he delivered a stellar 12-6 record with a 3.47 ERA, logging a career-high 181.2 innings and 184 strikeouts.
Reflecting on his performance after the NLCS, he called it “definitely the best [season] of my career.” He added, “I was super proud of all the work that I was able to put in with everybody here, on and off the field. Just super proud of this whole year as a whole.”
His strong campaign led him to exercise his opt-out clause, a decision that paid off. The Mets wasted no time in bringing him back, inking him to a three-year, $75 million contract to remain a foundational piece of their rotation.
“Sean was an integral part of what the team accomplished last season,” Stearns said after the signing. “He impressed on the field leading the rotation and in the clubhouse with his character, attitude, and composure. I am excited to watch him continue to flourish over the next few years.”
The Road Ahead
If all goes according to plan, Manaea could be back in the Mets’ rotation before the end of April. His return would provide much-needed stability for a team that has already seen its pitching depth tested.
Meanwhile, another key offseason addition, Frankie Montas, remains without a firm update after suffering a high-grade lat strain early in spring training. The Mets initially projected a 6-8 week shutdown period for Montas, meaning his return is likely further down the road.
For now, the Mets can at least take solace in the fact that Manaea is trending in the right direction. If his progression continues smoothly, he could soon be back on the mound, anchoring a rotation that will need all the help it can get.