New York Mets manager Buck Showalter announced on Thursday that Sean Manaea will begin the 2024 season in the bullpen after the organization decided to set a five-man starting rotation. The decision comes as a strategic move to manage Manaea’s workload and optimize the team’s pitching depth early in the campaign.
Manaea, who was acquired from the San Francisco Giants last offseason, had been expected to compete for a rotation spot but will now join a revamped bullpen corps. The Mets have designated five starting pitchers: Kodai Senga, Max Scherzer, Chris Bassitt, José Butto, and Tylor Megill, with Manaea slotted in as the sixth starter or long reliever.
Showalter addressed the decision, stating, “We feel this is the best approach for Sean and for the team. He’s a proven starter, but we also have a strong rotation, and this gives us flexibility.” The move allows Manaea to remain stretched out in case of an injury or underperformance from the top five, providing depth for a pitching staff that has been a focal point of the Mets’ offseason moves.
The Mets’ rotation, while experienced, faces high expectations after finishing 2023 with a 4.46 ERA, which ranked 21st in baseball. Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young winner, headlines the staff, while Senga brings his elite splitter and high strikeout rate from his rookie campaign. Bassitt and Butto offer stability and upside, respectively, with Megill providing a left-handed presence.
Manaea’s transition to the bullpen may also serve as a temporary solution while the Mets assess the health and performance of their starters. The team has not ruled out Manaea returning to the rotation later in the season if circumstances warrant it. For now, the bullpen will feature a mix of established arms and young pitchers competing for key late-inning roles.
Pitching coordinator Jeremy Hefner emphasized the importance of flexibility, noting that the staff is built to adapt to in-season challenges. “We want to give our starters every opportunity to succeed, but we also need to be prepared for anything,” Hefner said. The Mets open the season on the road against the Atlanta Braves next week.
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