Over the offseason, Mets officials made a strategic decision to build their rotation based on depth rather than ceiling. Instead of pursuing the top arms available in free agency, the team cast a wider net,

New York Mets starter Sean Manaea is expected to begin the season on the injured list because of a right oblique strain. Manaea said that had been dealing with the issue since getting to spring training.

Well, that plan has now been altered, as Manaea has sustained a right oblique strain in the early days of Spring Training. Manaea will miss Opening Day and is most likely looking at a late-April return. He joins fellow starting pitcher Frankie Montas, another offseason signing, on the shelf.