The Flushing Five: Mets Lock In 2025 Starting Rotation
Carlos Mendoza officially announced the Mets’ five-man rotation to open the 2025 season, signaling a new chapter in how this team plans to operate under his leadership.
The decision to name Clay Holmes as the Opening Day starter was deliberate, underscoring his dominance over this spring and the staff’s confidence in his revisit to the rotation. Mendoza emphasized the balance of upside and reliability throughout the rotation, with Tylor Megill and Griffin Canning providing mid-rotation firepower, David Peterson anchoring with consistency, and Kodai Senga rounding it out while the Mets continue his slow ramp-up back to ace-status.
This season debuts a staff that can adapt, evolve, and outlast.
I like it https://t.co/dLknbmIH1b
— Gab (@gabrielleraucci) March 23, 2025
A New Era Begins with Clay Holmes on Opening Day
Clay Holmes will make his first career Opening Day start on March 27 against the Houston Astros, completing his transformation from late-inning reliever to full-fledged starter.
See Related: Mets name Clay Holmes as Opening Day Starter
Across 19.1 innings this spring, Holmes posted a 0.93 ERA, a 0.78 WHIP, and struck out 23 in five starts. He’s leaned into a new identity, expanding his now six-pitch mix beyond the sinker that defined his bullpen days. His spring featured an adjusted four-seamer, a cutter with teeth, and the debut of a filthy (and frankly unhittable) “kick-change” that added another layer of unpredictability.
Clay Holmes registered a 59.1 Whiff% on his new Kick Changeup this Spring pic.twitter.com/aBgcjpIPve
— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) March 24, 2025
Megill Earns No. 2 Spot After Spring Continuation of 2024 Playoff Push
Behind him, Tylor Megill will slot into the second spot. After an organizational up-and-down in 2024, he delivered five memorable starts in September—all team wins—and carried that momentum into camp. He’s thrown 17 innings this spring, striking out 18 with a 4.24 ERA. The metrics don’t overwhelm, but the consistency, conviction, and timing of his execution have earned the staff’s trust.
Griffin Canning: Stearns’ Offseason Gem
Griffin Canning, one of David Stearns’ more calculated offseason pickups, has quietly turned in one of the best springs on the roster. Over 14.1 innings, he’s punched out 22 Ks and pitched to a 1.88 ERA across four starts. His stuff has ticked up, and his command has been sharp throughout the preseason.
The stuff is sharp, the command is dialed in, and if this is what LA gave up on—thank you (sincerely).
Griffin Canning is looking like the latest pitching lab success story. pic.twitter.com/fo6wrlphNW
— Ben Yoel (@Ben_Yoel) March 17, 2025
David Peterson Returns as a Stabilizing Force
David Peterson slots in fourth. After posting a 2.90 ERA over 21 starts last season and emerging as a vital swing piece in the postseason, he’s followed up with a dominant spring: a 0.57 ERA over 15.2 innings with 12 strikeouts and a WHIP of 0.89. His rhythm has been surgical, and he’s looked every bit the part of a reliable opener.
Kodai Senga to Start Season Slowly, Slotted Fifth
Kodai Senga returns to round out the rotation. After a shut-down early in 2024 with shoulder and calf injuries, the Mets are taking a careful ramp-up approach. He made three spring starts, logging 9.0 innings with a 2.00 ERA and nine strikeouts. The Ghost Fork has been effective, but the priority remains building up innings gradually.
Kodai Senga was sharp tonight 👻 pic.twitter.com/OZxMusVjVq
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) March 20, 2025
Sean Manaea Nearing Return, Montas Further Behind
Sean Manaea is tracking for a return by May from his oblique strain IL stint. If Senga continues with conservative management, Manaea could slide into the front end of the rotation. Mendoza had reported on March 13 that Manaea had started throwing again and had been symptom-free.
— Gab (@gabrielleraucci) March 13, 2025
Frankie Montas (high-grade oblique strain) is still on the mend and is not expected back immediately, though he’s likely to take a share of starts later in the season.
Bullpen Depth Will Be Key Early in Season
The rotation, paired with a bullpen that’s held strong all spring, has positioned the Mets to lean on depth and adaptability early on. Holmes is still adjusting to a starter’s workload, so it wouldn’t be the worst thing for the bullpen to play a more prominent role in April, which aligns with how the Mets may be looking to structure this roster.
The tone is set: lean on depth and attack from every angle—be efficient, flexible, and aggressive. This isn’t the Mets team you remember—it’s the one you’ve been waiting for.
