Well, that plan has now been altered, as Manaea has sustained a right oblique strain in the early days of Spring Training. Manaea will miss Opening Day and is most likely looking at a late-April return. He joins fellow starting pitcher Frankie Montas, another offseason signing, on the shelf.

New York Mets pitcher Sean Manaea was diagnosed with an oblique strain and will likely start the season on the injured list, manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters Monday.

The New York Mets' rotation took another early hit on Monday as left-hander Sean Manaea was diagnosed with a strained right oblique. He's expected to be shut down for two weeks or so and is likely to open the regular season on the injured list.