Introduction to the Mets’ Rotation Change
The New York Mets have made a significant change to their rotation, affecting Sean Manaea’s role. Manaea, the veteran southpaw, will not make his next scheduled start on Tuesday against the San Diego Padres. Instead, he will be moved to the bullpen, piggybacking off Clay Holmes, who will start the vital series opener at Citi Field.
Background on the Rotation Change
The Mets have shortened their rotation following a 16-game-in-16-day stretch that ended on Sunday with Pete Alonso’s walk-off home run snapping an eight-game losing streak. During that stretch, the Mets expanded to a six-man rotation, which featured the calling up of Jonah Tong and Brandon Sproat, along with the demotion of the struggling Kodai Senga to Triple-A.
Reasoning Behind Manaea’s Move
With an opportunity to flex back to a five-man rotation, Manaea is the odd-man out, for now. The 33-year-old has been unable to find the stuff that made him a hero in the second half and the postseason last year after an oblique injury delayed his 2025 debut until July. In 11 appearances, he is 1-3 with a 5.76 ERA and has allowed at least four earned runs in six of his last seven starts. He made 23 appearances out of the San Francisco Giants’ bullpen in 2023.
Mets pitcher Sean Manaea (59) pitches against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning at Citi Field on July 23, 2025.
John Jones-Imagn Images
Impact on the Mets’ Rotation
The Mets will hope that combining Holmes and Manaea could fuse the two into one good outing. Holmes has been unable to provide the length needed as of late, while he continues to exceed his previous career-high in innings pitched by more than double after transitioning from closer to starter. He has a 4.81 ERA since the start of August. David Peterson, who has been wildly inconsistent as of late after garnering an All-Star selection in the first half, will be supported by the trio of Mets rookies in Tong, Sproat, and Nolan McLean — the latter continuing his brilliant MLB debut that has featured a 1.19 ERA across his first six career starts.
Implications for the Postseason
McLean and Sproat appear to be the only two locks for a three-man Wild Card Series rotation should the Mets hang on to the final postseason berth in the National League. Tong was ripped apart for six runs on Friday in the first inning by the Texas Rangers, but an all-rookie rotation is still very much on the table.
Conclusion
The Mets’ decision to move Sean Manaea to the bullpen is a significant change to their rotation. With Manaea struggling to find his form, the team is hoping that combining him with Clay Holmes will result in better outings. The implications of this change will be closely watched, especially with the postseason looming.
FAQs
For more on Sean Manaea and the Mets, visit AMNY.com
Q: Why is Sean Manaea being moved to the bullpen?
A: Manaea is being moved to the bullpen due to his struggles in his last seven starts, where he has allowed at least four earned runs in six of them.
Q: Who will start in Manaea’s place?
A: Clay Holmes will start in Manaea’s place, with Manaea piggybacking off him.
Q: What are the implications of this change for the postseason?
A: The change could impact the Mets’ rotation for the postseason, with McLean and Sproat appearing to be locks for a three-man Wild Card Series rotation.
