The New York Mets walked away with a crucial 4–0 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Thursday night at Citi Field, but the celebration was overshadowed by what may be a devastating blow to their pitching staff.
In the third inning, starting pitcher Griffin Canning collapsed near the third-base line after reacting to an infield grounder by Nick Allen. The 29-year-old right-hander immediately grabbed at his leg in visible pain, and the non-contact nature of the injury quickly sparked concern. He was helped off the field, emotional, as teammates and fans watched in stunned silence.
After the game, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza offered a grim update.
“We think it’s an Achilles. He’s getting an MRI — we’re waiting for the results — but it looks like it’s an Achilles injury,” Mendoza told reporters, as captured by SNY TV.
If confirmed, the injury could sideline Canning for the remainder of the season — a crushing loss for a Mets rotation already stretched thin. With Kodai Senga, Tylor Megill, and Sean Manaea battling injuries, Canning had emerged as one of the team’s most consistent arms.
Over 16 starts in 2025, Canning posted a 3.77 ERA with 70 strikeouts in 76.1 innings, giving up only 8 home runs and limiting opponents to a .245 batting average. His reliability was a stabilizing force through an otherwise turbulent first half of the season.
Mets Rally Without Canning to Shut Out Braves
Despite the emotional blow, the Mets bullpen stepped up in spectacular fashion. Four relievers combined for 6⅓ shutout innings, silencing one of the league’s most potent lineups. The win not only snapped New York’s brutal 1–10 skid but also vaulted them back into first place in the NL East, half a game ahead of the Phillies with a 48–34 record.
The Mets’ resilience is reminiscent of last year’s turnaround, when they clawed their way back from below .500 to reach the NLCS. This season, however, they’re looking to solidify early momentum — a task that just became significantly more difficult without Canning.
Further complicating the pitching situation, Sean Manaea is still being evaluated after being diagnosed with a bone chip in his elbow. Mendoza noted that Manaea recently received a cortisone injection and may resume rehab next week.
With the MLB trade deadline approaching, the Mets will face critical decisions regarding rotation depth, bullpen roles, and potential reinforcements.