Just as things were starting to improve for New York Mets left-hander Sean Manaea, baseball served as a reminder of how unpredictable the recovery process can be.
After being diagnosed with a strained right oblique in late February, Sean Manaea had been making gradual progress, even starting a throwing program in mid-March. However, just as he was increasing his workload, another setback occurred.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza revealed that Manaea felt discomfort as he intensified his rehab, leading the team to schedule another MRI. The diagnosis? Inflammation.
As a result, Manaea received a PRP injection and has been sidelined from throwing for at least two weeks, further postponing his return.
The Domino Effect of a Setback
The Mets initially aimed to have Manaea back in the rotation by late April or early May, but that now seems unrealistic. With his current shutdown, he’ll need at least two more weeks of rest before even considering a return to his throwing program.
After that, he’ll have to gradually rebuild his workload—a process that could delay his return until late May or even early June.
This is a tough setback for the Mets, who were relying on Manaea to strengthen their pitching depth. When healthy, he’s a formidable presence on the mound. Last season, he posted an impressive 3.47 ERA with 184 strikeouts over 181.2 innings. Missing that level of production, even for a month or two, is a significant loss.
The Mets aren’t in full panic mode just yet, but they’re treading a fine line. They still have five healthy starters, with Paul Blackburn expected back soon. However, another injury could put them in a tough spot. Depth in baseball is a luxury—until it suddenly isn’t.
For now, the Mets can only hope Manaea’s recovery stays on track. But if baseball has taught anything, it’s that timelines are unpredictable, and setbacks can quickly turn even the best-laid plans upside down.
