The New York Mets' starting rotation has been hit hard by injuries this season. Sean Manaea suffered a setback in his recovery from an oblique strain. Frankie Montas just made his Mets debut this week after a recovering from a lat injury suffered in the spring. Kodai Senga is out with a hamstring strain. Tylor Megill is sidelined with a right elbow sprain.
The last thing the Mets needed was another injury. Sadly, that happened on Thursday night, with Griffin Canning leaving his start against the Atlanta Braves.
In the third inning, Canning went down with a non-contact injury after stepping off the mound. Canning laid on the field for a bit before slowly being helped off the field. The starting pitcher was overcome with emotion.
Griffin Canning is leaving the game with an apparent leg injury pic.twitter.com/FAKwmx66un
— SNY (@SNYtv) June 26, 2025
The Mets initially called it a "left ankle injury" for Canning, but it will be interesting to see what imaging testing reveals.
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Mets starting rotation takes another hit with Griffin Canning non-contact injury
Canning was one of team president David Stearns' pitching gambles this season, signing the former Los Angeles Angels starter to a one-year, $4.25 million contract. Canning was lights out to start the season, as he posted a 2.47 ERA through his first nine starts of the season. He then went through a rough patch after that stretch, with his ERA rising up to 3.91 entering Thursday's game.
Canning looked solid on Thursday, as he pitched 2.1 innings, where he allowed one hit and struck out three batters.
Griffin Canning injury increases urgency for Mets to improve starting pitching by trade deadline
The Mets once had a huge lead in the NL East, but that has since crumbled after they had gone on a 1-9 stretch recently. Entering Thursday's game, they were tied with the Philadelphia Phillies for first place in the division.
With Canning potentially missing a lengthy period of time due to injury, it only adds to the urgency for the Mets to add a starting pitcher at the trade deadline. Yes, they just got Montas back and he looked good in his first start. Manaea is on the verge of returning. But, the Mets will have to contend in a tough National League. There are obviously the Dodgers who are always willing to sell the farm to get the top players available on the trade block. There are other top teams that could make moves, such as the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, and the Phillies.
Simply put, the Mets can't afford to slip further down the standings, given how deep the National League. They already have a need for bullpen help, and if Canning's injury is as serious as it looked, they will need to add a starting pitcher. And it might take a haul to get one.