Mets’ Griffin Canning craving longer outings after five-inning shutout vs. Nationals

WASHINGTON — Griffin Canning didn’t get an easy inning until his final one Monday, but that didn’t prevent him from success against the Nationals.

The Mets right-hander finished with five shutout innings in his team’s 19-5 victory at Nationals Park. Canning, over his past three starts, has allowed two earned runs total.

“I would like to go deeper in the game,” said Canning, who threw 90 pitches over the five innings. “I just think I can clean up some stuff with my execution of my changeup and slider when I am ahead in the count, but I am not going to complain about putting five zeroes up.”

Canning walked a batter in the first inning and left two runners stranded in each of the second, third and fourth before pitching a perfect fifth.

“They made him work,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “He kept making pitches and he executed when he needed to and got strikeouts with the breaking ball and the slider. Overall, I thought it was good.”

Mets pitcher Griffin Canning throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals in Washington, Monday, April 28, 2025. AP

Mendoza was still awaiting a prognosis on A.J. Minter, who was placed on the injured list Sunday. An MRI exam confirmed the team’s diagnosis of a lat strain. Mendoza said multiple doctors have been examining Minter to determine the severity of the injury.

In his Mets debut, José Ureña pitched the final three innings and was credited for the save after allowing five earned runs on seven hits and one walk.

Ureña could be squeezed out on Wednesday, when the Mets are likely to bring up lefty Brandon Waddell from Triple-A Syracuse to pitch against the Diamondbacks — either as the starting pitcher or behind an opener.

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New York Mets relief pitcher José Ureña (54) pitches against the Washington Nationals during the eighth inning at Nationals Park. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Mets are using a sixth starter in the rotation during this stretch of 13 straight days with a game scheduled. A sixth starter will also be needed next week in Arizona.

Paul Blackburn is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Tuesday at Citi Field following a stomach virus that scratched him from his rehab start last week for Double-A Binghamton. The right-hander has been rehabbing from right knee inflammation.

Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas continue to play catch in their respective rehabs, but neither pitcher has progressed to the point of throwing from a mound, according to Mendoza.