New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza revealed Saturday that left-handed pitcher Sean Manaea will join the team’s bullpen to start the season. Manaea is expected to operate in a piggyback role, stepping in after a starter to pitch multiple innings. The exact game in which Manaea will first pitch in this capacity remains undisclosed by the team. This decision comes as the Mets finalize their Opening Day starting rotation, which will feature Freddy Peralta, David Peterson, Nolan McLean, Clay Holmes, and Kodai Senga.

Mendoza explained that the team had a surplus of pitchers performing well during spring training, leading to difficult roster choices. He had been upfront with the pitchers from the start of camp, acknowledging that not everyone could be in the starting rotation if all remained healthy. The early schedule, including an off day after the season opener, allows the Mets to initially utilize a five-man rotation before re-evaluating their strategy.

The plan is to reassess the pitching depth closer to a demanding stretch of nine games in nine days, at which point the team might consider expanding to a six-man rotation. Mendoza emphasized that Manaea is still expected to make starts at some point during the season, with the current bullpen role being a temporary measure. This flexibility allows the team to manage workloads and adapt as needed throughout the early part of the season.

Manaea, who signed a significant contract last offseason, faced an injury-plagued 2025 season after a strong second half the year prior. He pitched through elbow discomfort, posting a 5.64 ERA in limited action, and missed substantial time with a strained oblique. Despite avoiding surgery, his fastball velocity has shown a declining trend in recent seasons, though Mendoza stated this was not a direct factor in the bullpen decision.

While Manaea expressed disappointment with the news, he reportedly accepted the team’s decision respectfully. Mendoza acknowledged that the specific pitcher designated for this role could change, indicating that other pitchers are also aware of the team’s flexibility. The Mets are navigating these pitching decisions carefully as they prepare for the upcoming season opener.