Mets’ Griffin Canning Likely Done for Season After Apparent Achilles Injury

Griffin Canning exits Mets start with suspected Achilles injury as New York’s injury-riddled rotation faces another major setback.

Griffin Canning’s 2025 season may have ended on a Thursday afternoon in painful and abrupt fashion. The New York Mets right-hander collapsed to the ground in the third inning while attempting to field a routine ground ball, immediately grabbing for his ankle as he limped forward and fell. It was a non-contact injury, and one that quickly prompted concern.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed afterward that the injury appeared to be related to Canning’s Achilles, a potential season-ending development for both the pitcher and a club already short on healthy arms. Canning was helped off the field and did not return, leaving behind a rotation already scrambling to stay afloat.

The moment summed up a frustrating stretch for New York—a team that had only just begun to see some signs of stability, now once again forced to adjust on the fly.

Griffin Canning is leaving the game with an apparent leg injury pic.twitter.com/FAKwmx66un

— SNY (@SNYtv) June 26, 2025

A Season That Had Already Felt Fragile

Injuries have cast a long shadow over the Mets’ pitching staff all season, and Canning’s exit only deepens the uncertainty. Kodai Senga, the rotation’s ace, was placed on the 15-day injured list earlier this month with a hamstring strain. Taylor Megill joined him soon after, sidelined with an elbow issue. Sean Manaea, once viewed as a key reinforcement, remains in a holding pattern after experiencing elbow discomfort during his rehab.

The result has been a patchwork group of starters held together by timing, minor league call-ups, and brief periods of effectiveness. Losing Canning, a stabilizing presence who had quietly delivered several solid outings, strips away another layer of depth from a team that can’t afford to lose more ground in the standings.

The dominoes keep falling, and the Mets, despite their resources, are left to chase reliable arms.

A Glimpse of Hope Fades Fast

There had been reason for optimism earlier in the week. Frankie Montas made his long-awaited return to the mound on Tuesday, throwing five shutout innings in his season debut after recovering from a lat strain. It was a welcome performance, one that sparked a brief sense of normalcy in a rotation that desperately needed a lift.

But just two days later, the narrative turned again. Canning’s injury wasn’t just another item on the injury report—it was a jarring visual, the kind of moment that quiets a dugout and shifts the tone inside a clubhouse. The timing couldn’t have been worse. And now, even the short-term outlook comes with more questions than answers.

The Braves sent well wishes to Griffin Canning after his injury 💙🧡 pic.twitter.com/j4mWEfW9Yc

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) June 27, 2025

How will the Mets fill the innings? Can Montas stay healthy and carry more weight? Does the team look to trade or promote from within?

What Comes Next for the Mets

For Canning, the immediate future likely involves a long recovery. Achilles injuries are serious and time-consuming, with many pitchers needing a full year or more to regain form. For the Mets, the focus shifts to survival. Montas’ health now becomes even more crucial, as does the need for bullpen stability and offensive consistency to carry them through a rotation shortage.

The front office may be forced to act sooner than anticipated. Whether through trade, waiver claims, or minor league promotions, reinforcements are no longer a luxury; they’re a necessity.

In a season defined by inconsistency and strain, Griffin Canning’s injury is another reminder of how fragile things can be. One misstep. One run off the mound. And everything changes.

For the Mets, the road forward just got more complicated. Again.