Prior to Sunday’s spring training game, New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters how his team’s starting rotation will shape up. Clay Holmes, as it was announced a couple weeks ago, is set to be the team’s Opening Day starter Thursday in Houston. Following him, will be Tylor Megill, Griffin Canning, David Peterson, and then Kodai Senga.
Mendoza also confirmed that Paul Blackburn will likely begin in the bullpen before being added to the rotation at some point. He lastly confirmed that the last bullpen spot is between Max Kranick and Huascar Brazobán.
The Mets’ rotation to begin the season surely looks different than how many projected it to be just a month ago. Since then, both Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas went down with injuries, which knocked out two of the team’s top-four starters. As a result, depth pieces, such as Megill, Canning, and Blackburn all find themselves a part of the rotation much earlier than expected.
New York will hope for bounce-back seasons from each Megill (4.04 ERA, 4.20 xERA), Canning (5.19 ERA, 4.74 xERA), and Blackburn (4.66 ERA, 4.59 xERA) after struggles in 2024. They’ll also have to rely on a career-reliever at the top of their rotation (Holmes) as well as full health from their projected ace (Senga). There is a lot of risk, to say the least, in regard to the Mets’ rotation this season.
Luckily, there has been a plethora of great signs so far in spring. Holmes looks poised to emerge as the team’s ace, posting a 0.93 ERA and 23 strikeouts across 19 1/3 innings. Additionally, Griffin Canning has looked primed for a breakout as well; 0.90 ERA and 16 strikeouts across 10 innings. Lastly, Senga has looked strong (2.00 ERA across nine innings) and importantly has remained healthy.
As far as the bullpen goes, the Mets announced that Dedniel Núñez has been optioned to Triple-A as he works his way back from injury. One would assume once he is fully ready to go, he will be right back with the big club. This move leaves the last spot in the Mets’ bullpen between Brazobán and Kranick.
Brazobán struggled after coming over from Miami last year (5.14 ERA across 21 innings), but has always had strong underlying metrics in his career. He has been excellent in spring, striking out 13 and allowing only two runs over 9 2/3 innings. Meanwhile, Kranick has been one of the main stories thus far. The 27-year-old has struck out 14 over 11 1/3 innings while allowing two runs so far in spring.
The Mets’ pitching staff is well underway in taking final shape ahead of Thursday’s season opener in Houston.
