Sean Manaea impresses Carlos Mendoza, but has he fully re-earned his spot in the Mets rotation?
Sean Manaea delivered in a big way on the bump today, pitching six full innings for the first time in nearly two years. The southpaw is finally looking like his old self after an injury-riddled 2025 season that carried over into 2026, beginning this season in the Mets bullpen.
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However, after having returned to the starting rotation two weeks ago, Manaea looks poised to stay there.
Today, against a dangerous Atlanta Braves lineup, he was efficient and effective, striking out six batters and walking none as he allowed two runs on four hits.
“It feels really good…I’ve been putting in a lot of work with the coaches here…it feels just to put some hard work in and have a game like today,” said Manaea after today’s game, a 3-1 loss to the Atlanta Braves.
When asked if Manaea’s strong performance today convinces him to use the pitcher as a full-time starter in the Mets rotation moving forward, manager Carlos Mendoza replied “100%.”
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“He continues to earn that opportunity and for him to go out there and have that type of outing, I think he puts himself in a way better position,” Mendoza continued.
With Clay Holmes and Kodai Senga still on the IL, as long as Manaea continues to rise to the occasion for the Mets, it’s safe to say that he’ll continue being slated for starting duties in the near future.
Why did the umpires overturn Juan Soto‘s home run in the ninth inning?
When asked about the umpires’ explanation for the controversial overturning of a solo homer hit by Juan Soto, Mendoza responded that “they didn’t see the ball leave the ballpark.
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Soto’s homer would’ve been a much-needed shot in the arm for a Mets lineup that struggled all day against the Braves, and it came in a pivotal spot, as the slugger was leading off in the bottom of the ninth with the Mets down 3-1.
Given the lengthy review, and the presence of a fan reaching over the railing in right-field to attempt catching the long fly ball (much to the frustration of Braves left fielder Mike Yastrzemski), many were wondering if the call of a ground-rule double was made due to fan interference. However, Mendoza clarified “there was no fan interference” on the play.
“It was tough to tell from the big screen,” the skipper lamented.
