MIAMI — Sean Manaea certainly won’t return to pitch for the Mets in April, as originally hoped. Now May isn’t looking so good for him either.
The left-hander has been shut down from throwing for at least two weeks in his rehab after receiving a platelet rich plasma (PRP) injection for his strained right oblique, manager Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday. Manaea, who was in the early stages of his rehab, felt discomfort during a long-toss session.
Manaea received an MRI exam that showed inflammation, according to Mendoza.
“He’s getting shut down for two weeks and then we have to revisit and see where he is after that,” Mendoza said before the Mets faced the Marlins at loanDepot park.
Once Manaea resumes throwing, he will still need a full spring training buildup that could last six weeks.
Manaea returned to the Mets last offseason on a $75 million contract over three years as a key piece to this rotation. Last season he pitched to a 3.47 ERA over 32 starts.
With Manaea and Frankie Montas (lat strain) sidelined, the Mets have used Tylor Megill and Griffin Canning to fill out a five-man rotation.
Paul Blackburn is also on the injured list with knee swelling, and the right-hander will have to go through progression before he’s cleared to return, according to Mendoza.
Luis Torrens’ offense has been a nice bonus for the Mets to start the season.
Torrens, who has taken over as the starting catcher with Francisco Alvarez sidelined following surgery to remove a broken hamate bone in his left hand, entered play with a .364/.417/.818 slash line.
He homered in Monday’s 12-4 victory over the Marlins, but was 0-for-3 on Tuesday.
“When Alvi went down, you feel good with Torrens,” Mendoza said. “You know what he’s capable of doing — we saw it last year when he first [arrived]. Not only was he good behind the dish in the way he took care of the pitching staff and controlled the running game, but he got big hits for us and that is what he is doing. He’s going to give you good at-bats.”
Luisangel Acuña received the start at second base against right-hander Sandy Alcantara because Mendoza wanted to maximize defensive range at the position — the Marlins went with a lefty-heavy lineup against Kodai Senga.
Team owner Steve Cohen was on the field before the game, visiting with players and president of baseball operations David Stearns.
Cohen has a residence about an hour north of Miami.
