With almost seven days out until Opening Day, Sean Manaea‘s velocity on his fastball has been alarming. Just one season removed from a down year, this is not what anyone envisioned.
The good news, however — and what’s possibly more important — is that Manaea threw four scoreless innings on Tuesday in the New York Mets’ 5-5 tie with the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. He added four strikeouts along the way.
The bad news is that his velocity has seen a dip for the third straight outing this spring. Manaea averaged 88.4 mph on that fastball and topped out at 89.9.
Sean Manaea’s Velocity Continues to Fall
In 2024, after signing with the Mets following his tenure with the San Francisco Giants, Manaea averaged 92.2 mph on his heater. Last season, that number dipped lower, averaging 91.7. And now it’s even lower.
uhhh….we’re 2 weeks away from Opening Day and Sean Manaea is sub 90mph on his fastballs…..
He averaged 91.7mph during an injury plagued 2025 and 92.2mph during his awesome 2024 season.
Feels like this should be more concerning. pic.twitter.com/8CvrZUjCgw
— Christopher Soto (@SotoC803) March 12, 2026
“It’s low, but at the end of the day, I feel good,” Manaea said. “I’m not concerned about it whatsoever. I know when I get up to Citi Field and get some adrenaline going, I think it will shoot back up. But right now, it is what it is.”
Manaea is fully aware of this issue, but is it an issue? The veteran doesn’t seem to think so: “I’ve done it in the past,” Manaea said. “I’ve pitched with 86, 87 [mph]. Obviously, I don’t want to be there. But I still think I’m effective.”
It was not the season the Mets or Manaea envisioned the 34-year-old would have last year. Fresh off signing a new three-year, $75 million contract, Manaea had to miss significant time in 2025 with a right oblique strain in spring training, and later dealt with a 7-millimeter loose body in his left elbow, which he managed with a cortisone shot rather than surgery.
“We don’t know,” Carlos Mendoza said regarding when the club expects Manaea’s velocity to tick up. “I would say [it will], but it might take some time.”
Main Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
