Sean Manaea's Velocity Drop: Mets' Rotation Concerns

0:00You're listening to New York Met's news today. Subscribe now for fast daily updates on your team. New York Met's pitcher Sean Manneha is raising eyebrows in spring training with a noticeable drop in his fastball velocity. And his latest start on Tuesday, his four-seam fastball averaged just 88.3 mph and topped out at 89.9. That's down from 91.7 last season and 92.2 the year before. Last year, Manneha dealt with an oblique strain and elbow problems from loose bodies, which led to a 5.64 earned run average. He and the team opted against surgery, choosing a conservative recovery instead. Nowadays, 34, that decision is under scrutiny as his velocity hasn't bounced back yet. Manneha remains a beat, chalking it up to the low pressure vibe of spring games in the great fruit league. He figures the adrenaline of regular season lights will kick his speed back up to full throttle. If not, he's ready to adapt by pounding the strike zone and mixing pitches effectively.

1:03He's pitched successfully at 86-87 mph before and believes he can still get out that way. For the Met's, Manneha needs to anchor the rotation reliably. Without that extra zip, mistakes could turn into home runs, putting pressure on the team's hopes for a strong start. Fans and staff are watching closely as the real game's approach. The Daily News Now is powered by a sponsor, link in the description. No need to switch positions. The sound is already where your head is. S-O-L-I-SOLY-PILLOW.com