If you’re checking the probable starters looking for a name to bet on tonight, I’ve got some news that might be a little annoying: nobody is pitching for the Mets today. It’s January 15, 2026. Unless you’re looking for a winter league box score from the Dominican Republic or a very intense bullpen session in Port St. Lucie, there’s no game. We are currently in the thick of the "hot stove" season, which, honestly, has been more of a "lukewarm microwave" season for the Mets lately—aside from the massive Juan Soto news and the constant Kyle Tucker rumors.
But look, I get why you’re asking. With the way David Stearns has been shuffling the deck, trying to figure out who's pitching for Mets today once the season actually starts is becoming a full-time job. The rotation looks radically different than it did even twelve months ago.
The Projected 2026 Rotation: Who actually takes the mound?
When Opening Day finally rolls around in late March, the "today" you’re looking for will likely feature a guy who wasn’t even a household name two years ago.
Right now, the depth charts are screaming one name at the top: Nolan McLean.
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It’s kind of wild. McLean was the two-way experiment that actually worked. Think Ohtani-lite, but with a New York edge. Scouts are obsessed with his sinker—it’s hitting 96 mph with late life that makes right-handed hitters look silly. He’s the projected "No. 1" in most circles right now, especially with the uncertainty surrounding the veteran arms.
Behind him, it’s a mix of "hope he stays healthy" and "hope he figures it out."
- Sean Manaea: The guy just won't go away. He’s slated as the No. 2 right now. He’s the stabilizer.
- David Peterson: Just avoided arbitration again. He’s the #3 starter because, honestly, he was the most consistent thing the Mets had last year.
- Kodai Senga: The big question mark. We’re all just praying the "Ghost Fork" returns to its 2023 form. If he’s healthy, he’s the ace. If not, the Mets are in trouble.
- Clay Holmes / Brandon Sproat: This is where it gets messy. Holmes is technically in the mix, but youth like Sproat and Jonah Tong are breathing down everyone's neck.
Why the "Pitching Today" search is actually about the International Draft
If you saw a headline about a Mets pitcher today, January 15, it was probably about Franklin Gomez.
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But he isn't pitching a game. He was actually just traded. In a classic David Stearns move, the Mets shipped Gomez (a lefty prospect) to the Cleveland Guardians today. Why? To get more "bonus pool" money for the International Free Agency period that literally just opened this morning.
The Mets are basically trading "future pitching today" to sign Wandy Asigen, the superstar shortstop prospect they just snatched away from the Yankees. It's a calculated gamble. They’re betting that a 16-year-old shortstop is worth more than a mid-tier pitching prospect.
The Kyle Tucker factor and the rotation’s future
There is a lot of noise today about the Mets making a massive four-year, $200 million push for Kyle Tucker.
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You might wonder what an outfielder has to do with who's pitching. Well, everything. If the Mets drop that kind of cash on Tucker (on top of the Juan Soto contract), they aren't going out and signing a Cy Young winner like Corbin Burnes or Max Fried.
They are committed to the "internal" rotation. That means you’re going to see a lot of Nolan McLean, a lot of Brandon Sproat, and a lot of hoping that David Peterson doesn't hit that "innings wall" he usually hits in August.
What you should actually watch for
Since there's no game today, the real "pitching" news is happening in the front office.
- Arbitration deals: The Mets just settled with Peterson and Tylor Megill. This solidifies the back end of the rotation. It’s not flashy, but it prevents a legal headache.
- Senga’s health: Keep an eye on the reports coming out of Florida. If he’s throwing off a mound by February 1, the Mets are contenders. If not, we're looking at a very long season of "bullpen games."
- The ABS System: 2026 is the year of the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System. This is going to change how Mets pitchers attack the zone. Guys like Senga, who live on the edges, are going to have to adapt fast.
Basically, if you're looking for a Mets starter today, you're about 70 days too early. But the roster being built right now in January is going to determine whether we're watching playoff baseball in October or just checking prospect rankings by July.
Your next move? Stop checking the daily line-ups for a few weeks. Instead, keep an eye on the Kyle Tucker negotiations. If that deal falls through, expect Stearns to pivots and suddenly "pitching today" might involve a trade for a frontline starter before spring training starts.