Sean Manaea: Everything you need to know

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Wednesday that Manaea will remain in the team's bullpen for the time being, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. The Mets are in the midst of nine straight games without an off day, and Mendoza had mentioned previously that he would use this stretch to insert a sixth starter into the rotation. However, he feels good about where his starting five is at, so the Mets will keep the status quo for now. Manaea has made two relief appearances this season, allowing just one run with a 4:4 K:BB over five innings of work.

Manaea allowed one run on four hits and two walks over 3.2 innings of relief in Thursday's loss to the Giants. He struck out two. Taking over for David Peterson with one out in the fifth inning, Manaea saved the rest of the Mets' bullpen by lasting the rest of the game and throwing 74 pitches (44 strikes). Manaea's fastest pitch of the night was just 91.3 mph and he routinely sat below 90 mph with his two-seamer and four-seamer, but he's made it work with the reduced velocity so far, posting a 1.80 ERA and 4:4 K:BB over two long-relief appearances and five innings. The 34-year-old lefty appears to be a long way from regaining a spot in the rotation, however, even if an injury were to open up a spot.

Manaea will not begin the season in the Mets' starting rotation, although Carlos Mendoza indicated Saturday that the veteran southpaw would be used in a piggy-back role, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports. Mendoza didn't specify which starter would get an abbreviated workload to accommodate Manaea, however. Manaea's velocity has been down this spring, and getting used in a long relief role could buy him more time to round into form. That said, his actual Grapefruit League results have been solid as he has a 3.72 ERA and 9:2 K:BB in 9.2 innings. Freddy Peralta, David Peterson, Nolan McLean, Clay Holmes and Kodai Senga will open the season in the rotation.