Mets Announce Starting Rotation to Begin 2026 Season
Carlos Mendoza and the Mets have announced the rotation to open the 2026 season.
Freddy Peralta will start opening day across from Paul Skenes this upcoming Thursday, followed by David Peterson, Nolan McLean, Clay Holmes, and Kodai Senga.
Freddy Peralta, Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Peralta getting the opening day nod is confirms news that broke three weeks ago. Mendoza reported that the former Brewer would take the bump February 27, first reported by Laura Albanese of Newsday.
Peterson and McLean round out the top three of the Mets’ rotation. The two will both register their first starts of the new season against the Pirates at home, with Peterson splitting up the two righties in Peralta and McLean.
Bottoming out the rotation is Holmes and Senga. Holmes has looked strong in spring this season, pitching to a 2.84 ERA with 13 punchouts in 12 2/3 innings. Senga also provides tantalizing upside as the fifth starter. When healthy, the 33-year-old has pitched to ace status, and has registered a promising 1.86 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 9 2/3 spring innings.
With the rotation officially coming, Mendoza also stated the plan for Sean Manaea to begin the season. The lefty will be worked slowly to begin the season, piggybacking off one of the five starters. The Mets utilized Manaea similarly in 2025, having him and Holmes piggyback off each other in September.
Whether the Mets decide to insert Manaea into the rotation later in the season is unknown. For now, the rotation will follow a traditional five-man setup.
Final position player update
Mendoza was also asked whether or not the Mets have made a decision on who will fill the final roster spot. The Mets’ manager stated the club hadn’t decided yet, and that the decision will come in the final days.
The last spot is likely to be filled by either Mike Tauchman or Carson Benge. Tauchman signed a minor-league deal with the Mets in the offseason and has produced this spring. He’s slashing .250/.382/.464 with a home run and three doubles in 34 plate appearances. Tauchman also has a March 25 opt-out date in his contract.
Benge has also dazzled in spring. The Oklahoma State product is batting .412 and slugging .500 in 39 spring plate appearances, but doesn’t have a homer in an official game. He could be a candidate to crack the opening day roster, but the Mets could also hold him in the minors until mid-April to receive an extra year of service time.
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