The New York Mets have hit a rough patch this season after a hot start, and their lead in the NL East has slipped away. Over the last 10 games, the Mets are 1-9 and have fallen 1.5 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East. One of the main issues with the Mets of late has been their starting pitching.
They are being beaten up, sustaining injuries, and are receiving subpar production from some of their key starters. Kodai Senga was recently placed on the injured list with a hamstring strain, and Sean Manaea has yet to make his MLB season debut.
Sean Manaea Suffers Setback in Rehab Start
Manaea was one of the players the Mets were counting on to contribute this season. He landed on the IL back in March with a strained oblique. According to Anthony DiComo, Manaea felt discomfort in his elbow while on a rehab assignment due to loose bodies and has been shut down from throwing for 48 to 72 hours.
News: Sean Manaea has been shut down from throwing for 48-72 hours due to discomfort stemming from a loose body in his left elbow. He had been getting close to an MLB return.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) June 24, 2025
Manaea is coming off the best season of his career, which earned him a three-year, $75 million contract with the Mets. He threw a career-high 181.2 innings last season, allowing just 134 hits. His 3.47 ERA was the lowest of his career, and he finished 11th in NL Cy Young voting. Manaea showed top-of-the-rotation upside, and getting him back will be crucial as the Mets try to stabilize their pitching staff.
Mets May Need to Make a Big Move
If the Mets are serious about making another deep run in October, they must shore up their roster around the trade deadline. Plenty of impact arms/bats will be available, and the Mets should make a play for one. According to ESPN, some players who could be available and fit the Mets’ needs are Luis Severino, Reid Detmers, Jarren Duran, and Aroldis Chapman.
The Mets’ front office is one of the more aggressive in baseball. It will be interesting to see what they are willing to part with to improve their team and how much money they will take on. The Mets already have the highest active payroll in baseball, and adding to it should not surprise anyone if it improves their chances of winning.