The New York Mets have officially activated left-handed pitcher Sean Manaea from the 60-day injured list, marking his much-anticipated season debut. In a corresponding move, right-hander Austin Warren has been optioned to Triple-A, allowing Manaea to take over a spot in the 40-man roster.
Manaea, 33, has faced multiple setbacks this season due to an oblique strain and a loose body in his left elbow. However, he is now set to make his return during a crucial period for the Mets, who are engaged in a fierce competition with the Philadelphia Phillies for supremacy in the NL East. Initially, Manaea will come out of the bullpen, relieving Clay Holmes before transitioning into a starting role down the line.
Although Manaea’s rehab outings did not yield outstanding results—recording a 6.27 ERA over 18⅔ innings—his return is still significant for the Mets’ rotation. The team invested heavily in him during the offseason, securing his services with a three-year, $75 million contract. Last season, Manaea proved his worth with a commendable 3.47 ERA across 181⅔ innings, where he made 32 starts and struck out 24.9% of batters faced.
With Manaea back, the Mets’ starting rotation appears to be fully healthy for the first time this season after the All-Star break. Recently, Kodai Senga and Frankie Montas have also returned from their respective injured lists, providing the Mets with a more formidable pitching staff. This rejuvenated rotation includes Clay Holmes and David Peterson, which lessens the team’s immediate need for additional starting pitching assistance.
However, the Mets are still facing challenges given injuries to Griffin Canning, Paul Blackburn, and Tylor Megill. These setbacks may prompt the team to explore options for further pitching depth in the market, particularly as they balance their existing resources with the health of the current rotation. With high demand from clubs such as the Cubs, Astros, and Blue Jays for starting pitching, the Mets may focus on shoring up other areas of their roster in the upcoming trade season.
As for Austin Warren, he demonstrated solid performance with a 1.69 ERA in four appearances for the Mets this season. As he heads back to the minors, he has shown a promising track record throughout his major league career with a cumulative 3.00 ERA over 54 innings since his debut in 2021. Warren will remain poised for his next opportunity to showcase his talent.
Manaea’s return is a silver lining for the Mets as they navigate a challenging season, and it could be a pivotal moment that contributes to their quest for dominance in the NL East.