Mets' Griffin Canning estimates his recovery from an Achilles injury will take 'maybe' nine months
Griffin Canning of the Mets is checked on after an injury during the third inning against Atlanta at Citi Field on June 26. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Amid a career-best season, Griffin Canning’s 2025 campaign came to a sudden end last Thursday.
Canning suffered a ruptured left Achilles as he was pushing off the mound on a routine grounder during the third inning of the Mets’ 4-0 home win over Atlanta. He had surgery last Friday afternoon and was placed on the 60-day injured list.
The 29-year-old righthander returned to the Mets’ clubhouse ahead of Tuesday night’s postponed game against the Brewers at Citi Field, meeting with reporters for the first time since his injury.
“It stinks,” Canning said. “I’m a competitor. I want to play. I want to be with the team. I’ll be here for every game I can and help in any way I can from here on out.”
The Mets and Brewers will play a split doubleheader Wednesday, with games set for 1:10 p.m. and 7:10 p.m.
Mets righthander Clay Holmes (8-4, 2.97 ERA) will start Wednesday’s first game opposite Brewers righty ace Freddy Peralta (8-4, 2.90).
Brewers righthander Jacob Misiorowski (3-0, 1.13), a rookie phenom who started his major-league career with 11 consecutive hitless innings, will start the nightcap. Mets rookie righty Blade Tidwell (0-1, 10.13) was initially slated to start Wednesday night, but the team said its starter for that game was undetermined as of Tuesday evening.
Canning did not receive an exact timeline for his recovery, but estimated it will be “maybe” nine months.
When asked how he was feeling, Canning said: “Not too bad, and not like a super painful surgery or anything. So, yeah, feeling a little bit better every day.”
Canning made 16 starts, finishing 7-3 with a 3.77 ERA, 1.376 WHIP and 70 strikeouts in 76 1⁄3 innings. Albeit during a now-shortened season for him, Canning’s ERA was his lowest as a big leaguer.
“Just more like, supporting the kid,” manager Carlos Mendoza said of his recent conversations with Canning. “I know it’s a tough one when you’re done for the season, and knowing the competitor he is and knowing that he’s not going to be able to go out there with the boys — it’s not easy . . . He’s a really good athlete, and I know he’s going to [do] everything in his power, and we will do everything in our power, to get him back as quick as possible.
“Understanding that it’s a long road ahead of him but, again, you stay positive with him and continue to support him.”
Canning signed a one-year, $4.25 million contract with the Mets last offseason. He played his first five seasons with the Angels, going 25-34 with a 4.78 ERA from 2019-21 and 2023-24. He missed the entire 2022 season with a back injury.
Canning is good friends with veteran outfielder Trayce Thompson, currently in the Red Sox organization. Thompson connected Canning with his brother, Mavericks guard Klay Thompson, who had a season-ending Achilles injury in November 2020 as a member of Golden State.
“It’s pretty early in the stages of this,” Canning said. “Once I have some questions, I’m going to reach out to Klay, for sure.”
Manaea washed out, too
After a slight setback, Sean Manaea was due on the mound for his fifth rehab start with Double-A Binghamton on Tuesday night, but the game was rained out.
Manaea, who has been on the IL all season with a right oblique strain, was shut down for 48-72 hours last week after the discovery of a loose body in his elbow. Jesse Winker, also on the 60-day IL with a right oblique strain, was also in the Binghamton lineup Tuesday.
“Let’s get through today first,” Mendoza said before the major and minor-league games were postponed. “With Winker, he’s scheduled to play today, tomorrow, then off day, and then hopefully in Syracuse over the weekend.”
Senga throws
Kodai Senga, on the 15-day IL with a right hamstring strain, threw a live bullpen Sunday and is scheduled for another Wednesday along with pitcher’s fielding practice. Depending on how Wednesday goes, he could start a rehab assignment soon.
As for Tylor Megill, on the 15-day IL with a right elbow sprain, Mendoza said: “He’s still doing exercises. I think he’s got an imaging coming up. He’s definitely feeling better, but not throwing yet.”
Extra bases
Lefty reliever Colin Poche elected free agency in lieu of accepting an outright assignment to Triple-A Syracuse.
Ben Dickson is Newsday Sports' general assignment reporter. He joined Newsday’s high school sports staff in 2023 after graduating from Maryland, where he covered several of the Terrapins' teams.
