The New York Mets are implementing an intriguing pitching rotation strategy that places Sean Manaea in a different role than a standard starter as they pursue a World Series in 2026. Manaea responds to the Mets’ decision to put him in a “piggyback” position behind other pitchers.
Manaea, a seasoned pitcher who started 12 games the previous season, will begin 2026 in a position where he follows the starting pitcher in later innings. Following manager Carlos Mendoza’s declaration, Manaea would be open about how he views himself as a starter and how it is “frustrating,” but he will accept the position and let the pitching do the talking.
“I think of myself as a starter. It is annoying not to be that. Manaea stated, “But in the end, I’m going to let my pitching do the work in whatever capacity that is and go from there,” according to SNY Mets.
Mets’ Carlos Mendoza on Sean Manaea’s role
“I think of myself as a starter. It is annoying not to be that. Manaea stated, “But in the end, I’m going to let my pitching do the work in whatever capacity that is and go from there,” according to SNY Mets.
According to SNY Nets, Mendoza remarked, “Six guys throwing the ball really well.” And at the start of camp, we were quite truthful with each of them. We were going to have to make some difficult choices if everyone was healthy, and one of them was going to be pitching in that kind of capacity.
“The way we see it is he’s taking that turn right now and probably two times through the rotation because of the schedule and the off days — we don’t feel like we need a sixth starter yet. He’s gonna make starts for us,” Mendoza continued. “So this is a couple times through, making sure guys go through their routine, and we’ll revisit when we have to, and maybe then it’s somebody else’s turn.”
How Manaea’s role with the Mets changes over the course of the season is still up in the air.
