Mets Finalize Starting Rotation, Manaea Relegated to Piggyback Role

Veteran lefty Sean Manaea will not be in the starting rotation to begin the season despite strong spring performance.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 5:56pm

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With just five days left until the New York Mets' Opening Day, manager Carlos Mendoza has finalized the team's starting rotation. Freddy Peralta will get the nod on Opening Day, followed by David Peterson, Nolan McLean, Clay Holmes, and Kodai Senga. Veteran lefty Sean Manaea will start the season in a piggyback role, providing relief for some of the other starters.

Why it matters

The Mets have a deep and talented pitching staff, but had to make tough decisions to finalize the starting rotation. Manaea's exclusion from the starting five is a bit surprising given his strong spring training performance, but the Mets feel they have six starters worthy of starting roles and want to provide ample rest for their rotation.

The details

Peralta will be the Mets' Opening Day starter, followed by Peterson, McLean, Holmes, and Senga in the first five games. Manaea will be used in a piggyback role, likely paired with either Holmes or Senga, to provide additional innings and rest for the starters. The Mets made it clear early in camp that they would have to make tough decisions with six strong starters, and Manaea's drop in velocity this spring and struggles last season played a role in him not cracking the initial rotation.

  • The Mets' Opening Day is on March 26, 2026.
  • Peralta will start on March 26, Peterson on March 28, McLean on March 29, Holmes on March 30, and Senga on March 31.

The players

Carlos Mendoza

The manager of the New York Mets.

Freddy Peralta

The Mets' new ace who will start on Opening Day.

David Peterson

A Mets left-handed pitcher who will start the second game of the season.

Nolan McLean

A Mets prospect who will start the third game of the season.

Clay Holmes

A Mets pitcher who is transitioning to a starting role and will start the fourth game of the season.

Kodai Senga

A Mets pitcher who will start the fifth game of the season after a strong spring training.

Sean Manaea

A veteran Mets left-handed pitcher who will start the season in a piggyback role rather than in the starting rotation.

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What they’re saying

“You ready? (David) Peterson game two, Nolan (McLean) game three, Clay Holmes, and (Kodai) Senga.”

— Carlos Mendoza, Mets Manager

“So we are going to use him (Manaea) on a piggyback tandem. But we're not necessarily going to announce which game he is going to be pitching.”

— Carlos Mendoza, Mets Manager

What’s next

The Mets will monitor the performance of their starting rotation throughout the early part of the season and could consider inserting Manaea into the rotation at some point if needed.

The takeaway

The Mets have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to starting pitching, forcing them to make tough decisions on their rotation to begin the season. While veteran Sean Manaea is relegated to a piggyback role to start, the Mets have a deep and talented group of starters that should keep them competitive throughout the year.