The New York Mets’ starting rotation suffered another blow on Thursday night when Griffin Canning left his start against the Braves after only 2 2/3 innings pitched. And now fans are waiting for more information with bated breath as broadcaster Ron Darling delivered the potential harsh truth on the right-hander.
The injury came on a routine groundout to Francisco Lindor. After delivering the pitch, Canning regained his stance, but fell to the ground and had to be helped off the field. The Mets said Canning left the game with “a left ankle injury.”
But the injury was of the non-contact variety, which makes it all the more concerning. It’s a potential catastrophe for a pitching staff already battling depth issues.
NY Mets fans worried as Griffin Canning exits with concerning leg injury
Mets pitcher Griffin Canning exits after suffering a non-contact leg injury.
Ron Darling: “Calf or Achilles… You don’t see baseball players go down like that very often… My mind might have been just biased from watching the NBA Finals and watching Haliburton… Apologies.” pic.twitter.com/n6rE0Qg87h
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 27, 2025
Rough stuff for the fans to hear, especially after watching it unfold and expressing worry themselves. Canning was in the midst of a career season.
Despite allowing three earned runs or more in his last three starts, Canning had been one of the Mets success stories this season. The former Angel came into Thursday’s outing with a 3.91 ERA in over 70 innings pitched. If Canning’s injury is long term, an already depleted rotation will be left looking for answers.
The bright spot for David Stearns is that help is on the way. According to SNY, Sean Manaea played catch on Thursday after he was shut down with a loose body in his left elbow. The team believes he will be able to make his final rehab start sometime next week. Kodai Senga will return shortly after as he works his way back from a hamstring strain suffered earlier in the month.
In the meantime, it’s unclear what the team might do as a short-term replacement for Canning. There’s the chance we see fifth-ranked prospect Nolan McLean make his MLB debut, but that would require opening up a spot on the 40-man roster. The same would go for Brandon Sproat.
Blade Tidwell might be a more viable option after his decent outing in his second big league appearance against the Phillies.
Right now, Carlos Mendoza will trot out Clay Holmes, David Peterson, Frankie Montas and Paul Blackburn, with a big question mark in that fifth spot until the team waits for Manaea and Senga to return. Add Canning’s likely loss to the list of what has already been as tough a two-week stretch as the Mets have had all season.
