Mets' new pitching coach outlines plans for rotation

Justin Willard discusses his approach to getting the most out of Sean Manaea, Kodai Senga and the rest of the Mets' staff

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The New York Mets hired Justin Willard as their new pitching coach this offseason, and he is tasked with getting the most out of a talented but inconsistent starting rotation. Willard has already met with several key pitchers, including Sean Manaea, Clay Holmes, Nolan McLean, David Peterson, and Kodai Senga, to discuss their individual strengths and areas for improvement. The Mets are hoping Willard's expertise can help the rotation reach its full potential and propel the team back to the playoffs.

Why it matters

The Mets' rotation was a major weakness last season, and the team's success in 2026 will hinge on getting better production from that group. Willard's ability to maximize the talent of pitchers like Manaea, Senga, and McLean could be the difference between the Mets contending or falling short in the NL East.

The details

Willard has already met with several Mets pitchers to get to know them and their needs. With Manaea, he's focused on helping the veteran left-hander rediscover the form he showed in 2024 by working on his mechanics and regaining feel for his changeup. For Holmes, Willard wants to find ways to improve his effectiveness against left-handed hitters, potentially by reintroducing a curveball. The 24-year-old McLean impressed Willard with his elite stuff and poise, and they're working on refining his command and getting his secondary pitches more consistent in the strike zone. Willard also met with Senga over the offseason and is trying to help the enigmatic right-hander get back to being the power pitcher he was in the first half of 2025 before injuries derailed his season.

  • Willard traveled to Tampa in January to meet with Manaea and watch him throw a bullpen session.
  • Willard stood behind McLean during a live bullpen session before the start of spring training to observe the young righty's self-talk on the mound.
  • Willard celebrated New Year's Day by traveling to North Carolina to visit Senga at the Tread Athletics facility.

The players

Justin Willard

The new 35-year-old pitching coach for the New York Mets, who previously served as the director of pitching for the Boston Red Sox.

Sean Manaea

A 34-year-old veteran left-hander who is one of the Mets' biggest X-factors, coming off an injury-plagued 2025 season after a strong 2024 campaign.

Clay Holmes

A cerebral right-hander who provided the Mets with stability in the rotation last season, but needs to improve his effectiveness against left-handed hitters.

Nolan McLean

A 24-year-old right-hander who impressed in his MLB debut last season and is seen as a future ace, with Willard focused on refining his command and secondary pitches.

Kodai Senga

A 33-year-old right-hander who the Mets view as a critical factor in the team reaching its highest ceiling, but has struggled with injuries and inconsistency the past couple seasons.

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What they’re saying

“I want to be challenged. If things are going good or bad, tell me directly.”

— Sean Manaea

“My changeup, it feels great. It's just trusting it to do what I want it to do on the mound. I've been burned by it a lot. But you have to trust it. I know it's great. It's really, really good. Sometimes you just gotta trust it.”

— Sean Manaea

“He's got incredible stuff. Specifically, versus lefties, it's really, can he maximize count leverage?”

— Justin Willard, Mets Pitching Coach

“He can talk a little junk and chirp a little bit, but he's also super intelligent.”

— Nolan McLean, Mets Pitcher

“It's pretty special. It's a guy where you are just like, 'That looks different.'”

— Justin Willard, Mets Pitching Coach

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Willard's ability to get the most out of the Mets' talented but inconsistent rotation will be crucial to the team's success in 2026. His hands-on approach and focus on developing each pitcher's strengths could help the Mets leapfrog their divisional rivals and return to the playoffs.