Mets Believe Manaea's Extended Relief Outing Was 'Positive Step'

Veteran left-hander showed increased velocity in 3 2/3 innings of relief against Giants

Apr. 4, 2026 at 4:06am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the various angles and perspectives of a baseball pitcher's windup and delivery, rendered in muted earth tones.A cubist interpretation of Mets pitcher Sean Manaea's extended relief outing, capturing the raw energy and motion of his pitching mechanics.NYC Today

Sean Manaea, the New York Mets' sixth starter, made an extended relief appearance on Thursday night, allowing one earned run over 3 2/3 innings. While he gave up four hits and two walks, Manaea's velocity was up from his previous outings, averaging 89.9 mph on his four-seam fastball. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza called it a 'positive step' for Manaea, who is trying to regain his form after a difficult 2025 season.

Why it matters

The Mets have used a lot of relievers in the first week of the season, with three extra-inning games. Manaea's ability to eat up innings in a relief role could help save the bullpen as the team navigates a busy early schedule. His performance also provides hope that Manaea can bounce back and potentially earn a spot in the starting rotation.

The details

Manaea entered the game with the Mets trailing the Giants 4-0 in the fifth inning. He allowed one run on a home run by Rafael Devers but otherwise kept the Giants in check, striking out three batters. Manaea's velocity, which had been down in spring training and his previous relief appearance, ticked up to an average of 89.9 mph on his four-seam fastball. 'I was just throwing free and easy and just throwing with confidence,' Manaea said.

  • Manaea made his relief appearance on Thursday, April 4, 2026.
  • Last season, Manaea strained an oblique in spring training and didn't appear in a game for the Mets until July 2025.

The players

Sean Manaea

A left-handed pitcher for the New York Mets who is currently serving as the team's sixth starter. Manaea is trying to bounce back after a difficult 2025 season in which he pitched to a 5.64 ERA in 15 appearances.

Carlos Mendoza

The manager of the New York Mets.

Rafael Devers

A player for the San Francisco Giants who hit a home run off of Manaea during Thursday's game.

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What they’re saying

“'I was just throwing free and easy and just throwing with confidence.'”

— Sean Manaea, Mets pitcher

“'I thought it was a positive step. [Manaea] was aggressive and his fastball had life, swings and misses, and for him to finish that game and save the bullpen is huge. There were a lot of good signs.'”

— Carlos Mendoza, Mets manager

What’s next

Manaea's next step is unclear, but he's unlikely to be available for the remainder of this series after throwing 74 pitches. The Mets have a day off on Monday and then have games scheduled for the following nine days, so it's possible Manaea could be inserted into the rotation as a sixth starter as soon as the next homestand.

The takeaway

This outing represents a positive step for Sean Manaea as he looks to regain his form and potentially earn a spot in the Mets' starting rotation. His increased velocity and ability to eat up innings in a relief role could be valuable for a Mets team that has relied heavily on its bullpen in the early going.