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NY Mets starting rotation plans included a wise choice, a possible questionable one

The Mets rotation is taking shape with one wise choice at the end of spring training and a potentially bad one on the way.
Feb 27, 2026; Jupiter, Florida, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) looks on against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Feb 27, 2026; Jupiter, Florida, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) looks on against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

New York Mets spring training winding down literally one weekend left to go of actual games. We’re past the point of “who makes it?” and more into what everyone’s specific role will be.

The starting rotation is one of those parts of the Mets roster with potential to make or break the season. In the final days of spring training, the Mets have shown both a cleverness to their handling of the staff as well as a potential questionable call heading into the regular season.

Here’s what the Mets are doing with their rotation

The wise choice: Give the Cardinals nothing

Freddy Peralta was lined up to start on Friday, but rather than give any St. Louis Cardinals hitters a chance to see him in a Mets uniform, he went to the back fields. Tobias Myers got the start on Friday instead with Peralta sticking a nail in his spring training in-game action.

While Peralta has faced plenty of them during his time with the Milwaukee Brewers, anything he may have worked on with the Mets will be brand new to the Cardinals in the regular season. And even if there’s nothing new to unleash, giving their lineup an unnecessary taste comes with unnecessary risk for the Mets.

The questionable choice: Sean Manaea as the number two starter?

How you align your rotation isn’t all that much different from a starting lineup in the NHL. Those guys are off the ice in 45 seconds. Other than the Opening Day starter, it’s mostly irrelevant. Still, one can’t help but cringe at how things may shape up for the Mets.

Although nothing has been confirmed, Manaea starting game two after the underwhelming spring he had with his velocity drop as the headliner doesn’t feel so good. Manaea feels like the first pitcher who could get bumped from the rotation. Clay Holmes has been steady. Kodai Senga looks like he’s back. Nolan McLean is ready to take the next step.

In fact, because of the off-day on Friday after Opening Day, the Mets might want to skip Manaea altogether from starting. Although Manaea lines up for the Saturday start, McLean will have enough time removed from his Monday scrimmage to get the nod instead. Save Manaea for some protection behind Senga or, based on the way Bryan Hudson has pitched this spring, be prepared to have him as the second lefty out of the bullpen to begin the year.

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