SEATTLE — Sean Manaea views his success throwing his sweeper as a significant factor in his turnaround.
“Throwing it hard and selling it has really been key,” the Mets left-hander said before an 8-3 loss to the Mariners in which he did pitch. “If I try to place it and make it perfect, that is where I get into trouble.”
On Monday he had one of his strongest outings of the season, allowing one earned run over five innings in the Mets’ 3-2 loss to the Mariners in 10 innings. Manaea was utilized in a bulk relief role, behind an opener.
Manaea has pitched to a 2.55 ERA over his last five appearances, dating to May 10. Before his last outing he was moved into a higher-leverage role, switching spots with David Peterson.
“Even though we lost the game you have got to take the positive there,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “It was his longest outing, you saw some 93-94 [mph]. He was pretty impressive. He was really good.”
As for his sweeper, Manaea utilized it 21 times in 63 pitches.
Jorge Polanco will be evaluated for a potential return to the Mets this weekend following his scheduled start Wednesday for Triple-A Syracuse (the second half of a back-to-back day appearances).
Though Polanco is expected to serve as the DH once he’s cleared for a Mets return, Mendoza indicated the ability to handle first base will be necessary. Polanco, who has been on the injured list since April 15, is returning from left Achilles bursitis after initially dealing with a right wrist contusion.
“It could be in play that he is active on Friday,” Mendoza said. “But if he needs more at-bats and it’s not so much how he is feeling physically … there is a combination of a lot of things.”
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Kodai Senga is scheduled to throw 85 pitches for Syracuse on Wednesday in a potential final minor league rehab outing before rejoining the Mets.
The right-hander has been sidelined since April 26 with lumbar spine inflammation.
Mets pitchers began the day with 560 strikeouts this season, which ranked first in the National League and second in MLB.
The total was fourth-highest in franchise history through the team’s first 60 games. The 2021 Mets (580 strikeouts) are first.
