Grading the NY Mets rotation the first time through for each pitcher

Everyone has had their turn to grab the ball and start a game for the New York Mets; at least those who were named to the starting rotation to begin the year. Sean Manaea is still waiting to get shifted into the rotation. Tobias Myers is getting comfortable as a reliever.

How has it gone so far? Let’s get honest about what we’ve seen.

Grading every Mets starting pitcher's first start of 2026

Freddy Peralta - C-

We’re going to and we will get more from Freddy Peralta than what he did in his first start for the Mets. An early home run plus another hit by Brandon Lowe trying to make a first impression on the Pittsburgh Pirates helped spoil his 5 innings. Charged with 4 earned runs, Peralta will need to balance out starts like an earned run or two over his next two starts with 10+ innings logged.

David Peterson - B

It was very David Peterson to give up 6 hits, walk a pair, and only strike out 3 in his debut while not getting charged with any runs. The bases were crowded throughout his time on the mound with Pirates hitters scattering their times on base to help him escape with a 0.00 ERA to begin the year. Don’t be deceived, he was one pitch away from a bad day.

Nolan McLean - B-

Nolan McLean fanned 8 in his 5 innings and didn’t really look overmatched or in any serious danger in his season debut. Was it ace-like? Not in the last. Consider start number one the average “low” of what he can offer on a typical outing. We need him to be a little more exceptional going forward.

Clay Holmes - B

Lasting 5.2 innings and probably a batter or two too many, Clay Holmes had a typical start of his we saw often in 2025. It was the kind of outing that could’ve resulted in a loss if the bats were asleep. Lucky for him, they weren’t and he got a very average (for him) win. He won’t be as lucky on other days with a similar performance.

Kodai Senga - A-

It wasn’t always pretty, but 6 innings and only 2 earned runs qualifies as quality. If this is literally what Kodai Senga gives the Mets 28-30 times this year, we’ll sign up for it. Senga managed to strike out 9 St. Louis Cardinals batters along the way. I’d love to say it was great for Senga to save us from a long Sean Manaea appearance, but then came Richard Lovelady.