Mets’ Sean Manaea not bothered by velocity drop in spring start: ‘I feel healthy’

JUPITER, Fla. — After a year marred first by an oblique strain suffered in spring training and an elbow issue in July, it was somewhat eye-opening to see Sean Manaea’s velocity drop by more than 3 mph from last year on both his four-seam fastball and his sinker in his opening Grapefruit League start Friday against the Marlins. 

The lefty, though, said he was unconcerned by the dip in the numbers, noting the “weird mound” at Roger Dean Stadium, as well as it being his first start of the spring against an opposing team. 

“Some pitches need a little work, but I feel healthy and for the most part I was throwing strikes,’’ Manaea said of his three-inning outing in which he allowed just one hit, a homer by Connor Norby in the bottom of the first. He threw 33 pitches, just 19 for strikes. 

Manaea said he was pleased with his changeup and cutter. 

Carlos Mendoza also liked the cutter, noting it broke in against right-handers and had movement. 

Of the decreased velocity, Mendoza said, “I’m not gonna make too much of the first one. He says he feels really good physically.’’