Sean Manaea is likely starting the season on the IL with an oblique strain, bringing the number up to two Mets starters that will begin this hyped campaign on the shelf.
The latest casualty is the team’s likely ace, as Manaea was fantastic for the Mets last season, earning him a $75 million deal over the offseason to return to Queens.
Carlos Mendoza didn’t sound too concerned about the injury on Monday, though some fans didn’t share his confidence. But Boomer and Gio believe there is no reason to panic, especially at this point in the calendar year.
“Thank God the baseball season is two years long!” Gio said. “You don’t have to worry about these things in February. Generally, when it’s an oblique strain with no structural damage, maybe he’s back in mid-April, or May worst case scenario. He’ll be fine.
“So, Mets haters, back up.”
Gio believes the Mets have a target on their back after following up an NLCS berth with the signing of Juan Soto, and fans, especially in the Bronx, are waiting to celebrate any setback. He doesn’t believe this will be much of a setback at all, even if the Mets rotation was the team’s biggest question mark heading into the season.
“Most likely, come Memorial Day weekend, we’re not gonna be thinking about this at all, and certainly not in October,” Gio said. “He’s gonna be okay, and he should have a really good year.”
Boomer was in full agreement, and isn’t sweating any of the Manaea news with Opening Day still a month away, and the oblique strain being described as relatively minor.
“The regular season doesn’t start until March 27. We’re a month away from it,” Boomer said. “David Stearns and the Mets are gonna figure it out.”