The New York Mets are shaking things up this season with a fresh approach to their pitching strategy, spotlighting Sean Manaea in a unique "piggyback" role. This move offers a glimpse into how the Mets are planning to manage their rotation and address workload concerns right from the start.
Instead of slotting Manaea into a traditional starting position, the Mets are deploying him to follow another pitcher, allowing him to handle multiple innings. This strategy provides much-needed flexibility and helps the team manage innings early in the season.
The Mets plan to use Sean Manaea in a piggyback role to begin the season
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) March 21, 2026
Carlos Mendoza explains the decision: pic.twitter.com/xvzevk06Q2
The Mets are set to kick off the year with a five-man rotation featuring Freddy Peralta, David Peterson, Nolan McLean, Clay Holmes, and Kodai Senga. Meanwhile, Manaea remains a key player, stretching out in a versatile role that keeps him ready for various scenarios.
Manager Carlos Mendoza shared insights on how this strategy will unfold, emphasizing that early off days eliminate the immediate need for a sixth starter. He noted, “The way we see it is he’s taking that turn right now and probably two times through the rotation because of the schedule and the off days - we don’t feel like we need a sixth starter yet, and he’s going to make starts for us.”
This approach is expected to keep Manaea in his piggyback role through at least the first two turns of the rotation.
ESPN's Jorge Castillo added that Manaea will begin the season in the bullpen, with the Mets planning to go through at least two rotation cycles before he gets a start.
By using Manaea in this innovative piggyback role, the Mets are embracing a strategic, forward-thinking approach to roster management. Prioritizing flexibility and workload control, New York aims to keep its rotation fresh and maximize pitching depth as the season progresses.