Mets' Pitching Rotation Hinges on Key Duo Again

Nolan McLean and Freddy Peralta's success will be crucial for the Mets' rotation in 2026.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 8:55pm

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The Mets' pitching rotation will once again rely heavily on the performances of Sean Manaea and Kodai Senga in the 2026 season. The team has bolstered its rotation with the breakout of Nolan McLean and the acquisition of Freddy Peralta, but Manaea and Senga remain the bellwethers for how good the overall starting group can be.

Why it matters

The Mets' starting rotation was a point of emphasis in the offseason, with the team aiming to improve the depth and quality of its pitching staff. However, the success of the rotation still hinges on the performances of Manaea and Senga, who were crucial to the team's pitching in 2025.

The details

If Manaea can pitch close to the level he did in the last 13 starts of 2024, with a 3.17 ERA, 27.7% strikeout rate, and .171 batting average against, and if Senga can replicate the success of his first 13 starts last season (1.47 ERA, 23.9% strikeout rate, .195 batting average against), the Mets will have one of the best rotations in baseball.

  • The Mets will open spring training in Port St. Lucie the day after the Super Bowl.
  • In 2024, Manaea had a 3.17 ERA, 27.7% strikeout rate, and .171 batting average against in his last 13 starts.
  • In 2025, Senga had a 1.47 ERA, 23.9% strikeout rate, and .195 batting average against in his first 13 starts.

The players

Nolan McLean

A pitcher who had a breakout late last season for the Mets.

Freddy Peralta

A pitcher acquired by the Mets late in the offseason to bolster the rotation.

Sean Manaea

A key member of the Mets' rotation whose performance will be crucial to the team's success.

Kodai Senga

Another key member of the Mets' rotation whose performance will be crucial to the team's success.

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What they’re saying

“I feel much better about our starting pitching depth sitting here today than I did a year ago. We made that a priority of our offseason. We brought in a number of players at all levels of free agency.”

— David Stearns, Mets Executive (New York Post)

The takeaway

The Mets' success in 2026 will depend heavily on the performances of Manaea and Senga, who were crucial to the team's pitching in 2025. While the team has bolstered its rotation, the duo remains the bellwethers for how good the overall starting group can be.