The Mets' starting pitcher Sean Manaea is dealing with recurring injuries, but the team still hopes for his return.

Sean Manaea encountered another issue about a week before his season opener. An MRI on Tuesday (Monday local time in New York) showed a 7mm loose body in his left elbow. Although this is bad news, the Mets' front office anticipates that this injury will only delay his time on the injured list by a few days.

Manaea received a cortisone injection on Tuesday and is expected to restart his minor league rehab assignment on July 2 or 3. If all goes well, he could make his season debut in five to six days.

"Loose body issues can accompany players throughout their careers," said David Stearns, president of baseball operations for the Mets. "This condition should not significantly delay the process."

Manaea, who has been on the injured list since spring training due to a right oblique strain, felt discomfort in his elbow during the later stages of a rehab game with the Triple-A Syracuse team last Saturday. After completing that game, he continued to experience unusual soreness and subsequently underwent an MRI.

The imaging revealed loose bodies, which are typically fragments of bone or cartilage that have detached from the elbow. Doctors informed him that the fragments did not affect the elbow ligaments, indicating it is a pain tolerance issue rather than a structural injury. The cortisone injection aims to reduce inflammation to alleviate discomfort.

"This situation is unprecedented for me," Manaea admitted. "I hope I won't have to endure pain every game. The injury is not at the level requiring ligament replacement surgery, and surgery is not necessary at this stage."

Whether surgery will be needed at the end of the season will depend on progress over the next four weeks. For now, Manaea is focused on returning to the mound within the next two weeks:

"It’s unfortunate to face setbacks when the finish line is in sight. However, the team is doing everything to help, and I will do my best to pitch."

The 33-year-old Manaea was the Mets' best pitcher last season (12 wins, 6 losses, 3.47 ERA) and delivered a standout performance in Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the Phillies. He made significant improvements last July after lowering his release point, mimicking All-Star Chris Sale of the Giants.

Based on this, the Mets re-signed the left-hander to a three-year, $75 million contract during the offseason. However, his oblique strain during spring training and subsequent recurring injuries have pushed his return to early July—now needing another week of delay.

"The start of the contract is not what I wanted," said the nine-year veteran who has played for four major league teams. "The frustration is intense. I want to play but feel powerless; I can only focus on rehab to help the team."

During Manaea's absence, the Mets have relied on a rotation that includes Clay Holmes, David Peterson, Griffin Canning, Paul Blackburn, and Frankie Montas (the latter making his Mets debut against the Giants on Wednesday). Kodai Senga (right hamstring strain) and Tylor Megill (right elbow sprain) are also on the injured list.