"We’ve got to build him back up again" : Manager Carlos Mendoza discusses Sean Manaea’s injury

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Feb 25, 2025, 00:11 IST

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Sean Manaea's oblique strain is likely to sideline him at the start of the 2025 season. The Mets' pitcher signed a new three-year contract this winter, and his absence will significantly impact the team's pitching rotation. He will undergo a shutdown period followed by further assessment.

"We’ve got to build him back up again" : Manager Carlos Mendoza discusses Sean Manaea’s injury

Image via : Julio Cortez/AP

According to reports, Sean Manaea will more likely than not make the 2025 season start on the injured list due to an almost certainly major oblique strain. Carlos Mendoza confirmed the news on Monday, saying the injury will keep the southpaw out for a considerable time during his recuperation.

Mets' Left-Hander Likely to Start 2025 Season on Injured List Due to Oblique Strain

Manaea signed a new three-year, $75 million contract with the Mets this winter. During spring training, he felt discomfort almost right away. Neither he nor the Mets thought it was a serious issue, but as days went by, it became clearer the recovery was not going as expected.
The Mets scheduled Manaea for an MRI on Sunday, which showed he has an oblique strain, with no tendon or rib cage damage. Manaea, who finds the whole business to be suffering, said, "It could have been worse. The good news is the tendon is not involved, the rib cage is not involved, so it's just straight muscle."

Manaea will take part in a two-week shutdown in order to rehabilitate injury. Which is followed by further evaluation of the injury from the team.
“He’s going to be shut down for a couple of weeks. So, and then we reassess after that, and we’ve got to build him back up again. So, safe to say that he’s probably going to start the season on the IL.”Manager Carlos Mendoza said.

Carlos Mendoza gives injury update on Sean Manaea, will likely begin Mets season on the IL | SNY

Manaea also seems to have a bright chance of making a return during mid-season later on, but given the severity of the injury, it may be possible that he misses the start of the 2025 season.
With the absence of Manaea, which is a bitter pill for Mets' fans to swallow, there is suddenly a big hole it creates in the Mets' pitching rotation. Because he was the number one starter last season, the Mets will have to completely alter their plan early in the season. The Mets will likely continue with other pitchers in their rotation until there is quick improvement demonstrated by the return of Manaea.
At this point, it is confirmed that Manaea is definitely not going for any treatment in the initial weeks of the season. Rather than disrupting the initial part of the season, he is a major loss at this juncture for the Mets and the pitcher himself in their anticipated strength going into the playoffs.

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TOI Sports Desk

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