A.J. Minter might be wearing a Mets uniform, but you'd be forgiven for forgetting he’s even on the roster.
After barely seeing the mound last season, Minter has become one of those talented-yet-frustrating arms - electric when healthy, but often sidelined. He’s the kind of pitcher who can dominate from the left side when he’s right, but he’s also the kind of guy who forces a team to have a Plan B ready at all times.
The good news for the Mets? That Plan B might already be in place - and it doesn’t require a major shakeup.
Minter is expected to either break camp with the team or miss only a brief stint to open the season, potentially targeting a return around April 10 when the Mets host the Athletics. That gives New York a short window to patch the bullpen, and fortunately, the early-season schedule is working in their favor.
Manaea and Peterson: The Built-In Insurance Policy
If Minter does start the year on the injured list, the Mets don’t need to panic. Between Sean Manaea and David Peterson, they’ve got two left-handers who can step in and bridge the gap. Both are starters by trade, but both have relief experience - and more importantly, they’re the most likely candidates to be bumped from the rotation if the Mets opt to go with five starters.
Let’s be clear: the Mets aren’t shifting Nolan McLean or Freddy Peralta to the bullpen. Kodai Senga is locked in as a starter, and Clay Holmes has done too much work building himself into a legitimate rotation piece to be moved now. That leaves Manaea and Peterson as the logical swingmen - and that’s not a bad thing.
Manaea, in particular, has shown he can handle the role. He made three relief appearances last season - one just before the All-Star break, and two more down the stretch in September. He’s no stranger to coming out of the ‘pen, and he brings enough veteran savvy to adapt quickly.
The Schedule Does the Mets a Favor
The early-season calendar is tailor-made for flexibility. The Mets open the year with a built-in off day on March 27, which allows them to keep their starters on regular rest even with a six-man rotation. Another off day arrives on April 6, giving them a second breather during the opening stretch.
If the Mets want to be cautious with workloads - and let’s face it, given their injury history, they probably should - they can use those off days to their advantage. For example, the Opening Day starter (likely McLean or Peralta) would pitch March 26 and again April 1, with five days between outings. The rest of the rotation would follow from April 2-5 against the Giants, but those starters would be working on just four days’ rest.
That’s where the bullpen depth comes into play. If the Mets want to give everyone an extra day early in the season, they could have Manaea or Peterson pitch in relief during the first series, then slot one of them into the rotation for a spot start on April 2. It’s a way to keep arms fresh without overextending anyone - and it gives Minter a little more runway to get fully healthy.
What Happens When Minter Returns?
When Minter is back in the fold, that’s when things get interesting. The Mets could stick with a six-man rotation, especially if they’re trying to manage innings early in the year. Or they could go with a more flexible approach - piggybacking starters, using long relievers more strategically, or even rotating the sixth spot based on matchups.
But for now, the immediate concern is covering the gap left by Minter’s potential absence. And in that department, the Mets are better positioned than most. With two capable lefties in Manaea and Peterson, a favorable schedule, and a bit of early-season breathing room, they have the tools to weather the storm - as long as spring training doesn’t throw a wrench in the plan.
That’s always the caveat with this club. Staying healthy through March has often been easier said than done. But if they can pull it off, they’ve got a shot at starting the season with balance, depth, and a bullpen that doesn’t miss a beat - even without Minter on the mound.