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• Updated May 28, 2026 at 1:30pm

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The New York Mets are considering a rotation change.

After losing their fifth straight game on Tuesday, May 27, against the Cincinnati Reds, the New York Mets shared news about a potential change in the starting rotation regarding David Peterson and Sean Manaea.

Manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters, including Chelsea Janes of SNY, that “there will be a discussion” about swapping roles for Peterson and Manaea. Peterson was pounded for six earned runs on 11 hits against the Reds. He took his fifth loss of the season.

The Mets’ news doesn’t come as a surprise with the club having dropped seven of eight games. The team has slipped to last in the NL East. Manaea fell short of a rotation spot to begin the year. He hasn’t been effective out of the bullpen, posting a 5.56 ERA across 34 innings. Manaea has covered multiple innings in three straight outings.

New York Mets News Update: Team Considering A Change With David Peterson and Sean Manaea

The 30-year-old Peterson has been used as both a traditional starter and as a bulk reliever this year. He’s made seven starts and five appearances out of the bullpen. The lefty has been much more useful when appearing behind an opener. Peterson has held opponents to a .682 OPS as a reliever. He’s been crushed for an .837 OPS as a starter.

Peterson put together a strong first half in 2025. He carried a sub-3.00 ERA through July. The standout performance earned the veteran his first All-Star selection. Peterson tossed a scoreless inning in the exhibition, recording a hold. The wheels came off over the final two months of the year. Peterson was hammered for 23 earned runs over 31 innings in August. He gave up 18 earned runs in four September starts. The lefty was part of a team-wide collapse down the stretch that ultimately kept the Mets out of the playoffs.

While he had bullpen experience early in his career, Peterson has been used strictly as a starter in each of the past two seasons. He made 21 starts in 2024, delivering a career-best 2.90 ERA. Peterson made a career-high 30 starts last season.

Manaea Could Get A Shot in the Rotation

Manaea’s full-season numbers don’t offer much confidence that he can outperform Peterson in the rotation, but his recent stats suggest otherwise. The lefty has a respectable 3.75 ERA across five appearances in May. He’s racked up 15 strikeouts over 12 innings. Manaea relieved Peterson against the Reds and tossed three innings of one-run ball. He struck out six.

An oblique strain during the spring cost Manaea the first half of the 2025 campaign. He pitched well when he returned to the team in July, ceding exactly one earned run in each of his first four outings. Like the rest of the squad, Manaea faded down the stretch. He struggled to a 7.13 ERA in August. The lefty was tagged for nine earned runs in his first two outings of September. He was soon booted to the bullpen.

Manaea is getting paid $25 million this season. He’s on the books for another $25 million next season. The Mets might be able to get more bang for their buck if they give him a chance in the rotation.