Mets Stick With Five-Man Rotation, Leaving Manaea Odd Man Out

Manager Carlos Mendoza says the team will not move to a six-man rotation despite a stretch of nine straight games.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 2:04am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball pitcher's motion broken down into overlapping planes of muted earth tones, conveying the fragmented nature of Sean Manaea's role on the Mets' pitching staff.The Mets' decision to stick with a five-man rotation leaves veteran pitcher Sean Manaea on the outside, his role in the team's plans fractured and uncertain.NYC Today

The New York Mets have decided to stick with a five-man starting rotation, leaving pitcher Sean Manaea as the odd man out. Manager Carlos Mendoza said the team will not transition to a six-man rotation as previously considered, citing the need to keep the current starters on their regular routines. Manaea, who was squeezed out of the rotation at the end of spring training, has been used in extended relief appearances in the last two games.

Why it matters

Manaea, a veteran left-hander, was expected to compete for a spot in the Mets' rotation this season. His exclusion from the starting five raises questions about his future role on the team and whether the Mets will explore trade options if he continues to be relegated to a bullpen role.

The details

In spring training, Mendoza had indicated a six-man rotation was a possibility once the Mets got beyond their early off days in the schedule. However, the manager said the team will stick with five starters for now, citing the need to keep the current pitchers on their regular routines. Manaea, who was removed from the rotation at the end of spring training, has made two straight extended relief appearances, allowing two earned runs on five hits and two walks over four innings in the Mets' 7-2 loss to the Diamondbacks on April 8.

  • The Mets are in the midst of a stretch of nine straight days with a scheduled game.
  • Manaea was squeezed out of the rotation at the end of spring training.

The players

Sean Manaea

A veteran left-handed pitcher who was expected to compete for a spot in the Mets' starting rotation this season.

Carlos Mendoza

The manager of the New York Mets.

David Peterson

A Mets starting pitcher who was removed from the game after the fifth inning.

Carson Benge

A Mets player who snapped an 0-for-24 slump with a ninth-inning single.

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What they’re saying

“We're just going to keep guys with their routines. If we need to go that route, we will. But as I am sitting here, we are not planning on going to a six-man.”

— Carlos Mendoza, Mets Manager

“No disappointment. I am here to help this team win in any way that I can. And right now this is my job to do what I have been doing and I'm very happy doing that.”

— Sean Manaea

What’s next

The Mets will continue to monitor the health and performance of their starting pitchers. If an injury occurs or a starter struggles, the team may revisit the possibility of a six-man rotation and Manaea's role.

The takeaway

This decision highlights the Mets' commitment to maintaining their current starting rotation, even if it means leaving a veteran like Manaea in a limited relief role. The team's focus on keeping their pitchers on regular routines suggests they believe this approach gives them the best chance to succeed, though Manaea's exclusion could become a point of contention if he continues to be underutilized.