SAN FRANCISCO – Sean Manaea may find a glimmer of satisfaction in his latest outing.
Yes, the lefty caused traffic on his good show Thursday night, but there was a speed bump. The final result – one earned run allowed over 3 ²/₃ innings – was respectable, except for the four hits and two walks he allowed.
“I was throwing free and easy and I was throwing with confidence,” Manaea said.
Coming from a low-profile spot — the Mets trailed by four runs entering and eventually lost 7-2 to the Giants — gave Manaea an opportunity to sit comfortably as the sixth starter in what was a five-man rotation to start the season.
Manaea averaged 89.9 mph with his four-seam fastball — down from last season but up in spring training and his 1 ¹/₃-inning performance against the Pirates last Sunday.
The only run Manaea allowed Thursday was a four-seamer that Rafael Devers crushed for a homer.
“I thought it was a good move,” said manager Carlos Mendoza. “[Manaea] He was aggressive and his fastball had life, swings and misses, and for him to finish that game and save the bullpen is huge. There were many positive signs.”
The Mets used a lot of relievers in week one, with three games going extra innings. Manaea can help ensure Mendoza won’t need to call on another arm.
“This is a family; this is a team,” Manaea said. “Everyone has a job to do, and I’m so glad I was able to help.”
Manaea’s next step is unclear, but it’s unlikely he’ll be available for the rest of the series after throwing 74 pitches. The Mets have an off day on Monday and have games scheduled for the next nine days, so Manaea is likely to be inserted into the rotation as the sixth starter as soon as the next homestand.
Nolan McLean took the mound on Friday, and the Mets had Clay Holmes and Kodai Senga go together for the final two games of the series. Freddy Peralta and David Peterson are the other members of the five-man circle.
“We have five starters who are extremely talented, and my role right now is to help this team the way I do,” Manaea said.
Early results have been good for the rotation, Peterson’s latest start — the lefty was pulled in the fifth inning Thursday after allowing six runs, five earned. That gave Manaea a long outing. He threw just 29 pitches in his Sunday appearance.
Last season was a disaster for Manaea, who struggled in spring training and did not appear in a Mets game until July. But he struggled in his return and pitched to a 5.64 ERA in 15 appearances.
The Mets re-signed Manaea before last season to a three-year, $75 million contract.
Manaea thrived last season and emerged as the standout player on a team that reached the NL Championship Series, crediting a lower arm angle against left-handed hitters for much of his success.
But Manaea indicated that he may have lowered his arms too low last year in an attempt to repeat that success.
“I think the lower arm was a result of my whole body,” Manaea said. “If I’m serious, the arm hole doesn’t matter.”
