The New York Mets’ starting rotation has been one of the unexpected bright spots of the 2025 MLB season. But that success has recently unraveled due to a wave of injuries, with the latest and most significant being Griffin Canning’s season-ending Achilles tear.
Canning was officially moved to the 60-day injured list on June 27, putting an end to what had been a remarkable comeback year with the Mets. He joins a growing list of sidelined pitchers that includes Kodai Senga, Sean Manaea, and Tylor Megill—all of whom are expected to return eventually. Still, New York can’t afford to sit idle and wait; they must actively pursue outside help.
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Time is running out for New York. A 5.5-game lead in the NL East has vanished in a matter of weeks, with the Philadelphia Phillies now on top. Meanwhile, the Wild Card race is razor-thin—seven teams are separated by just five losses for three playoff spots. Waiting until the July 31 trade deadline to replace Canning could spell disaster.
Without Canning, maintaining their footing in the standings will be a tall order. Internal options provide little certainty. Frankie Montas showed promise in his debut but comes with a troubling injury history.
Top prospect Brandon Sproat has struggled in Triple-A Syracuse, while Jonah Tong has yet to advance beyond Double-A Binghamton. Nolan McLean has performed solidly in a limited sample at Syracuse, but with just seven starts and two bullpen appearances, he’s far from a sure bet.
None of these arms have proven they can anchor a rotation on a team chasing a World Series. And Montas has yet to demonstrate the durability needed to pitch deep into the postseason. With high expectations looming, the Mets can’t afford to take risks.
Canning’s loss is a major setback—he was on pace for the best season of his career, going 7-3 with a 3.77 ERA, 1.376 WHIP, and 70 strikeouts over 76.1 innings in 16 starts. His reliability amid a shifting rotation was invaluable. Still, the Mets must pivot quickly and decisively to fill the gap and stay in contention. They can’t dwell on who they’ve lost—only on what still lies ahead.