Mets Staying Afloat as Rotation Heals, Lineup Gears Up for Second-Half Surge
The Mets have been battling. Through injuries, bullpen reshuffles, and lineup tweaks, they’ve kept themselves in every game, despite losing two key starters in Kodai Senga and Tylor Megill this past week. The rotation has taken hits, key bats have been sidelined, but the team hasn’t folded. And now, help is getting closer.
Rotation Reinforcements and Injury Notes
2024 Mets ace Sean Manaea will make his first Triple-A rehab start Friday for the S’Mets after what looks like three rough outings on paper with Brooklyn, where he posted a 9.45 ERA across 6.2 innings with eight strikeouts, a 2.10 WHIP, and plenty of rust to shake off.
Sean Manaea struck out 4 in his rehab outing tonight for Brooklyn
Final line: 2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K, 46 pitches (31 strikes) pic.twitter.com/47iWJncZcB
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) June 10, 2025
But it’s important to note that a “successful” rehab start is not contingent on the actual posted numbers (as fans might think), but about getting pitches in, a feel for mechanics, and comfort level.
Frankie Montas, still on the horizon, will make one more rehab start Wednesday after a rocky stretch of his own: 13.2 innings over five starts, a 13.17 ERA, 10 strikeouts, and a bloated 2.34 WHIP.
Carlos Mendoza says Frankie Montas will get one more Triple-A start before the Mets make a decision:
“We haven’t seen the results, but physically he continues to say he’s fine” pic.twitter.com/9KXJjqbSW4
— SNY (@SNYtv) June 14, 2025
A decision on his role will follow based on how he looks in that final outing. Mets’ Manager Carlos Mendoza stated that the problem with Montas’ rehab has been rooted in execution, and “not moving well mechanically on the mound as he’s going through the delivery.”
“I watched his last bullpen at Citi Field, and he felt really good. So [pitching coach Jeremy Hefner] continues to work with him,” Mendozay said on Tuesda. “[Hefner] liked what he saw mechanically from him, even though the results weren’t there the last time he pitched.”
Senga Hamstring “Good News,” Megill Heads to IL with Sprain
Kodai Senga, who owns a 1.47 ERA across 73.2 innings this season, remains sidelined with a grade-one hamstring strain and will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
Tylor Megill, now on the IL with an elbow sprain, is expected to miss 4–5 weeks. He had been struggling in recent outings, so a break may be just what he needs to reset and return stronger.
Tylor Megill said he felt “pulling” on his elbow on his offspeed pitches in Saturday’s start vs. the Rays
MRI results have showed “a lot of inflammation around the elbow” pic.twitter.com/9zGcmwhNre
— SNY (@SNYtv) June 17, 2025
Third Base Depth Trending Back Up
Mark Vientos, who strained his hamstring (low-grade) after the Mets’ 4–3 win over the Dodgers on June 3, was placed on the 10-day IL but made his first rehab start with Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday.
Barring setbacks, he should be back in Queens by the end of the month, providing a much-needed right-handed bat and infield depth.
Meanwhile, Brett Baty has resumed baseball activities after being sidelined day-to-day with groin soreness, which he tweaked in Sunday’s series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Getting both Baty and Vientos back healthy gives the Mets more flexibility and a chance to find some rhythm again at third.
Winker Watch
On the offensive side, Jesse Winker’s looming return could be a game-changer.
He brings one of the best eyes in the league, works counts, and hits the ball hard—precisely the type of bat that could cut into the Mets’ situational hitting struggles with runners in scoring position. Winker’s rehab may still be a few weeks out, but the left‑handed thump and trademark swagger he brings are very much on the horizon.
Jesse Winker does some work as he continues to recover from his oblique injury pic.twitter.com/lOKB8IzARQ
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) May 26, 2025
David Stearns says the outfielder is “progressing in ramp‑up activities,” and the original 6-to-8-week timetable—oblique strains demand patience—remains on track.
Before landing on the IL, Winker owned the DH spot versus right‑handers, batting .242 in 43 plate appearances (.239 over 24 games), grinding out professional at‑bats, and flashing that easy confidence Mets fans already miss.
In his absence, Starling Marte has handled DH duties against lefties, hitting .218 in 59 plate appearances (.254 across 48 games overall). The platoon should hold once Winker returns, and the Mets will gain another lefty bat capable of lengthening the lineup and pumping a little extra pop and attitude into every at‑bat.
David Stearns says that Jesse Winker is still “multiple weeks” away from a rehab assignment.
Stearns also says that Jose Siri had a setback and is being backed off baseball activities for now and will be re-imaged in a couple of weeks. pic.twitter.com/kvnAzilOFd
— SNY (@SNYtv) June 13, 2025
Siri’s Setback
As for José Siri, the news was far less encouraging. Stearns revealed the outfielder recently suffered “a little bit of a setback” in his recovery from a fractured left tibia.
Imaging showed the bone hasn’t healed to the team’s satisfaction, and he’s now been shut down from all baseball activities.
Siri, who fouled a ball off his shin on April 12, had yet to return to field drills or workouts. His initial recovery window was 8–12 weeks, but that clock just hit pause.
While it’s unfortunate that the Mets can’t utilize his elite defense and unmatched speed on the bases right now, it will certainly be a serious boost down the stretch.
Built For October
This time last year, the Mets were in a similar spot—waiting on health, chemistry, and rhythm. And when it clicked, they turned it into a playoff push. There is still plenty to be excited about. The Mets are still playing really good baseball.
If the pieces fall into place again—and they’re trending that way—this roster will be complete by late July or early August—And the rest of the summer will come up all Mets. New York thrives in October.
