Manaea Recaptures Form in Dominant Start as MLB Injury List Grows
Sean Manaea’s seven-inning performance against Pittsburgh mirrors his successful 2024 campaign, while Cincinnati and San Francisco deal with significant roster setbacks.
Sean Manaea delivered a standout pitching performance against the Pittsburgh Pirates, limiting the opposition to one run on three hits over seven innings while striking out 11 batters and issuing no walks. According to CBS Sports, this outing represents his best start of the current season and closely resembles the form he displayed during the latter half of the 2024 campaign.
The improvement in Manaea’s performance is attributed to two key mechanical adjustments: lowering his arm angle and significantly reducing his reliance on his sinker. Earlier in the season, the sinker had yielded poor metrics, including a .378 expected weighted on-base average and a 7.6% whiff rate, which were the worst marks for any pitch in his arsenal. During this start, Manaea threw only two sinkers and increased the velocity of his four-seamer by approximately 2 mph compared to his season average.
Manaea’s recent success echoes his post-All-Star break performance in 2024, where he posted a 3.48 earned run average and recorded 88 strikeouts in 85.1 innings. That period of success was also linked to his decision to ditch the sinker and lower his arm slot. While the increased velocity of his four-seamer is a notable factor, analysts note that the reduction in sinker usage appears to be the primary driver of his current effectiveness.
Beyond Manaea’s performance, the broader MLB landscape saw significant injury updates affecting fantasy rosters and team standings. Cincinnati Reds pitcher Hunter Greene was diagnosed with a partial UCL tear in his right elbow and is scheduled for surgery, a condition that could sideline him for a large portion of the next season. San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman will also undergo season-ending surgery for a hernia.
Other notable roster movements include Joe Ryan being placed on the injured list with a left glute strain and Griffin Jax added to the list for right elbow discomfort. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh’s Oneil Cruz began a rehab assignment for a fractured left hand, and Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman started a rehab assignment at Triple-A following a period on the injured list.
