In a last-minute change that has thrown a wrench into the New York Mets’ plans, right-hander Griffin Canning has been scratched from his scheduled start against the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday due to illness. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed the decision just hours before the team’s Tuesday night game, citing Canning’s symptoms of feeling weak and under the weather. This marks a sudden and unexpected development for a Mets team already dealing with several injuries and roster questions.
“We’re going to wait until after the game,” Mendoza said in his pregame comments. “Griffin Canning will not make the start tomorrow. He’s under the weather a little bit and feeling weak, so we’re going to give him an extra day or so.” The Mets’ manager was careful with his wording, refusing to commit to anything until after Tuesday’s game, which could lead to several potential roster moves to compensate for the absence of the 26-year-old pitcher.
Canning, who joined the Mets from the Los Angeles Angels as part of the team’s offseason reshuffling, has made three starts this season. His performance has been solid, pitching to a 4.20 ERA over 15 innings. While not dominant, his consistency has been a welcome addition to a rotation that has seen its fair share of ups and downs in the early part of the season.
With the news of Canning’s illness breaking just one day before his scheduled start, the Mets are now forced into a scramble to find a suitable replacement. The timing of the change is particularly challenging as the Mets are set to close out their three-game series against the Minnesota Twins, a crucial matchup that could have playoff implications later in the season. The Mets will need to make quick decisions to maintain their momentum, as their pitching depth will be tested in a high-pressure situation.
“Instead of inserting a sixth starter on Friday, most likely, it will be tomorrow,” Mendoza added, suggesting that the Mets might opt for a short-term fix, possibly using a bullpen day or a spot starter. With the series finale coming up fast, any potential solution will need to be implemented swiftly. In any case, the Mets’ pitching staff is about to be stretched thin in a game that requires their best.
While it’s unclear who will fill in for Canning, the Mets have a few options in the minor leagues that could be called up in time for the Wednesday game. However, there are logistical hurdles to overcome, with any new pitcher needing to arrive in Minnesota quickly to be ready for the 1:10 p.m. ET start. Whether it’s a long reliever stepping into the role or a starter from Triple-A being called up, the Mets are likely to decide in the coming hours.
Manager Mendoza was cautious with his public statements about the team’s options. However, he did imply that more changes could be on the horizon. The Mets have been dealing with several injuries, and with the pitching rotation already in flux, Canning’s absence could prompt a larger roster shake-up. One potential move that could be on the horizon is the placement of outfielder José Siri on the Injured List (IL). While this remains speculative, the timing of such a move could coincide with the need for a fresh arm in the bullpen or a more stable starting option.
This potential roster shuffling comes at a time when the Mets need consistency. They’ve had their fair share of roster issues to start the season, including injuries to key players and inconsistent performances from several position players. A disruption in the rotation only exacerbates those challenges. Canning’s absence puts additional pressure on an already thin pitching staff that will need to rally if they want to keep pace in the competitive National League East.
Even though Canning’s 4.20 ERA isn’t earth-shattering, his ability to eat innings and provide some stability in the rotation has been valuable. With Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander both aging and occasionally battling health concerns, the Mets cannot afford too many holes in their pitching staff. Canning was expected to be a reliable piece of the rotation, and losing him temporarily could push some of the team’s other pitchers into bigger roles.
In the meantime, the Mets will lean heavily on their bullpen, which has been inconsistent but generally effective early on. If a bullpen day is required to fill in for Canning, it will test the depth of the Mets’ relief corps. One bright spot has been closer Edwin Díaz, who has shown his usual dominant form in the late innings, but the bullpen as a whole has been shaky at times. The ability to piece together a win in Wednesday’s game could depend on the depth and effectiveness of the team’s relievers.
As for Canning’s status, the Mets haven’t indicated how long they expect him to be sidelined. His illness, which has left him weak, is not expected to be serious, but it remains to be seen how quickly he can recover and rejoin the rotation. The Mets will likely play it cautious and ensure that he is fully healthy before he returns to action. This means more shuffling in the short term, but the hope is that Canning will be back to contributing once he’s feeling better.
Despite the challenges, Mendoza remains hopeful that the team can weather this storm. “We’ve just got to get through today’s game, and then we’ve got to make a couple of moves here,” he said. It’s clear that the Mets’ manager is already looking ahead, preparing for whatever comes next in this constantly shifting landscape. Whether it’s adding a fresh arm or making room for someone else on the roster, the Mets will need to act quickly to make sure they stay competitive through the rest of this crucial series.
While it’s not the news the Mets were hoping for heading into a critical game, they have shown resiliency in the past. Whether it’s the next man up in the bullpen or a surprise performance from a backup starter, this game will be an important test of how well the Mets can adapt to adversity. If they can pull out a win on Wednesday, even with a makeshift rotation, it will show the team’s ability to fight through uncertainty and stay in the hunt.