Sean Manaea out for Mets' season opener with injury
- Sean Manaea is diagnosed with a right oblique strain after experiencing discomfort during spring training.
- Manaea's injury leads to him likely starting the season on the injured list, joining pitcher Frankie Montas who is also sidelined.
- The Mets must fill out their starting rotation and adapt to the injuries as the season approaches.
In the United States, Major League Baseball pitcher Sean Manaea, who plays for the New York Mets, has been diagnosed with a right oblique strain, putting his availability for the start of the 2025 season in jeopardy. Manaea confirmed that he had been experiencing discomfort in his right oblique since the beginning of spring training but continued to partake in throwings. Following an MRI scan over the weekend, the injury was confirmed. Despite the muscle not involving his tendon or rib cage, the injury requires Manaea to be shut down for several weeks before reassessing his condition. Manaea, a critical contributor to the Mets' pitching rotation, performed exceptionally well in the previous season, achieving a record of 12 wins and 6 losses, along with a 3.47 ERA in 32 starts. Notably, he was the Mets' top pitcher, and the club rewarded him with a lucrative three-year contract worth $75 million prior to the season's commencement. Unfortunately, this latest injury now adds him to the list of pitchers sidelined with injuries, as fellow starter Frankie Montas is also nursing a back strain that could keep him out for at least six to eight weeks. With Manaea out of action, the Mets face a significant challenge in filling out their starting rotation. The team will likely rely on pitchers such as Kodai Senga, David Peterson, and Clay Holmes to lead the rotation in Manaea’s absence. Other possibilities include Paul Blackburn and Griffin Canning. This situation underscores the team's need to adapt quickly, especially with the opening games of the 2025 season approaching. Furthermore, the Mets received additional concerning news as infielder Nick Madrigal also suffered an injury, adding pressure to the team's roster depth. The severity of Manaea's strain and the timeline for his recovery will depend on his responsiveness to the shutdown period, with hopes that he might return in April. However, with the combination of injuries affecting the starting pitchers and contributing players like Madrigal, the Mets must strategize effectively to maintain competitiveness in the league while ensuring the health of their players is prioritized.