Mets Rehab Watch: Manaea “Feeling Good,” Winker Looking Offseason Ready
Wednesday’s Game 1 in Hartford marked Sean Manaea’s first time on the mound since his elbow barked back after a dominant Triple-A start in Syracuse—and while the stat line won’t turn heads, it was a meaningful step in the right direction.
Sean Manaea went three-plus innings and threw 60 pitches in a rehab outing for Double-A Binghamton today.
His final line: 3+ IP, 6 H, 3 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 3 K pic.twitter.com/sgj3RhX4Tc
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) July 2, 2025
Pushed back a day due to weather, Manaea ended up going longer than planned, tossing 60 pitches (39 strikes) across three-plus innings in his first Double-A rehab start. He allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits, walked one, and struck out three.
The lefty returned to start the fourth but was pulled after a seven-pitch leadoff walk. All things considered, it was a solid showing for a guy who just got a cortisone shot last week and hadn’t pitched since his absolutely stellar outing with the S’Mets on June 20.
Sean Manaea was dominant in his rehab outing with Triple-A Syracuse today 🔥
His final line: 5.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K (62 pitches/45 strikes)
He retired the final 15 batters he faced 💪 pic.twitter.com/onH3okPYzM
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) June 20, 2025
Big League Bump Day on the Horizon
Mets Manager Carlos Mendoza said the plan is for one more rehab outing—likely Tuesday—before Manaea rejoins the Mets. If the schedule holds, that would line him up to return either for the final pre-break series in Kansas City or coming out of the break to face Cincinnati at home.
“As of right now, I feel good. Hopefully, the next step is a big league mound.”
Sean Manaea talks about his rehab outing tonight and the next steps in his recovery: pic.twitter.com/rsmp5uZDBC
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) July 3, 2025
“As of right now, I feel good,” Manaea said after the game. “Hopefully, the next step is a big league mound.”
And with Kodai Senga still building up, Griffin Canning shelved, and Tylor Megill sidelined, Manaea’s return would give the Mets some much-needed rotational stability as they fight to stay afloat atop the NL East.
Winker Stays Hot in Hartford After Strong Rehab Debut in Brooklyn
Game 2 belonged to Jesse Winker, who made his first rehab appearance with Binghamton and looked right at home in the two-hole. Serving as the DH, Winker stepped to the plate four times and made the most of his sixth-inning at-bat, launching a three-run home run into the second deck in right field.
— Gab (@gabrielleraucci) July 3, 2025
The veteran finished 1-for-4 with three RBI and a strikeout, delivering exactly the kind of loud contact Mets brass wanted to see—and capped the Rumble Ponies’ 50th win—the first Double-A team to do so.
Back Before You Know It
Wednesday’s shot followed a sharp first rehab game with High-A Brooklyn on Sunday, where Winker went a perfect 1-for-1 with an RBI double off the left-field fence, a six-pitch walk, and a hit-by-pitch before being lifted in the sixth. He even went first-to-third on a double in the right-center gap and was nearly safe trying to score on a wild pitch. There was no visible rust—and no hesitation either.
Run like the wind Bullseye 🎯🐎
Jesse Winker gallops into second with an RBI double and the ‘Clones lead 4-1 after 2⃣ at Maimonides Park. pic.twitter.com/gABP4MDc7V
— Brooklyn Cyclones (@BKCyclones) June 29, 2025
Winker has been sidelined since the first week of May with an oblique strain and is expected to require a longer ramp-up given the time missed. But after reaching base three times in Brooklyn and clearing the fence in Binghamton, the lefty slugger is already making a strong case for a return before the All-Star break. He’s batting .239 with 16 hits, a home run, 10 RBI, and eight runs scored in 24 games at the MLB level this season—and he doesn’t look like he’s missed a beat.
Rotation Reinforcements Incoming
Before Wednesday’s twin bill, Kodai Senga was spotted throwing at Citi Field ahead of the Brewers series, and Mendoza told reporters his rehab assignment could begin as early as this weekend after his bullpen session “went well.”
Carlos Mendoza says that Kodai Senga faced hitters on Sunday and is scheduled to throw a bullpen and do PFPs tomorrow.
Mendoza says that it’s possible Senga could go on a rehab assignment if all goes well tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/TTHGzoN48S
— SNY (@SNYtv) July 1, 2025
The Mets, who’ve managed the rotation carefully amid injuries, could finally see their ace rejoin the mix before the break if all goes according to plan.
