Somehow, the Mets managed to do the unthinkable this spring: They made it through the entirety of spring training and the Grapefruit League season without any major pitching injuries.

All six starters came out of camp healthy, for maybe the first time in club history. Even if it might not be a first for the Mets, it’s a first for manager Carlos Mendoza.

“I think it’s probably my first year while I’ve been in big leagues that you get through spring training and everyone is healthy,” Mendoza said Thursday ahead of the Mets’ Opening Day matchup against the Pittsburgh Pirates. “It’s a good problem to have, and we’ve just got to keep it that way now.”

Keeping it that way may not be as easy. During spring training, guys are trying to build up on timed progressions, meeting benchmarks to work up to in-season strength The training staffs are careful not to overload pitchers’ arms right away. Once the season begins, they should be able to handle the stress on their arms and their bodies, but overuse injuries always occur.

That’s where you see the starting pitching depth come into play.

The core of the training staff has remained the same, though the pitching coach is new, Justin Willard. Mendoza credits the staff and the pitchers for being honest about their health and following each individual protocol to a tee.

“You’ve got to give them credit,” Mendoza said of the pitching staff. “They came [into camp] in a really good place, and they follow the program pretty much.”

Right-hander Freddy Peralta headlines the staff this season and right-hander Nolan McLean is expected to be a candidate for NL Rookie of the Year. The 24-year-old out of Oklahoma State had a 2.08 ERA over eight Major League starts last season, and was so impressive that Team USA put him on the World Baseball Classic team. McLean, who will make his first Citi Field start of the season Sunday against the Pirates, was on the mound as the starter for the championship game against Venezuela.

Left-hander David Peterson will start Saturday. Right-hander Clay Holmes, with a year as a starter under his belt, will open his season on the road Monday in St. Louis, and right-hander Kodai Senga will follow. Senga is looking for a bounce-back season after injuries derailed him over the last two seasons. The Mets were happy with the metrics they saw in the spring, especially on his forkball and his reworked gyro slider.

Left-hander Sean Manaea will throw in a piggyback role in relief for the first two turns through the rotation. The Mets wanted to keep Peralta and Senga on a regular schedule this season, but with an off day Friday, that wouldn’t be possible with a sixth starter in the rotation. The Mets weren’t expecting this problem, so they had to find a creative solution. The Mets know who Manaea is and that he can handle this for the first few weeks.

As for Peralta, Opening Day in New York City feels familiar. The former Milwaukee Brewers ace pitched in the home-opener at Citi Field in 2024 and last year in the Bronx at Yankee Stadium. It’s the same game, but with a different fanbase now cheering for him, it’s his first opportunity to introduce himself to Mets fans.

“I’m not the kind of pitcher that gets really angry on the mound,” Peralta said. “I’ve learned through the years that I’m probably not going to be smiling, but I’m going to be nice and relaxed and always expecting to give my best. You can expect that I’ll give my best every day, every game that I’m on the mound. My goal all the time is get to six innings and get the win for the team.”