Mets' Sean Manaea still 'not concerned' about lack of velocity

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Mets pitcher Sean Manaea tossed four no-hit innings against the Marlins on Tuesday, but the focus was on the decreased velocity of his four-seam fastball, which was in the 86-88 mph range, down about 3 mph from last year. Manaea said he is "not concerned" about the drop in velocity and believes he can still be effective by mixing his pitches, including a cutter he's been working on. Manager Carlos Mendoza said he's hopeful Manaea's velocity will return, but acknowledged it may take some time after Manaea's injury-plagued 2025 season.

Why it matters

Manaea's velocity drop is a concern for the Mets as they prepare for the upcoming season. If he's unable to regain his previous velocity, it could impact his effectiveness and force the team to adjust their pitching plans. The Mets have high expectations this year and will need Manaea to be a reliable part of their rotation.

The details

In his outing against the Marlins, Manaea tossed four no-hit innings, but his four-seam fastball velocity remained in the 86-88 mph range, down about 3 mph from a year ago. Manaea said he's "not concerned" about the drop in velocity and believes he can still be effective by mixing his pitches, including a cutter he's been working on. Manager Carlos Mendoza said he's hopeful Manaea's velocity will return, but acknowledged it may take some time after Manaea's injury-plagued 2025 season.

• On March 17, 2026, Manaea tossed four no-hit innings against the Marlins.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Mets will continue to monitor Manaea's velocity as the regular season approaches. If his fastball does not return to the low-90s range, the team may need to adjust their pitching plans and rely more on Manaea's off-speed pitches.