The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of ethyl-cellulose rumen-protected methionine supplementation during late-pregnancy of dams on blood biomarkers and neutrophil function of calves. We used 16 Holstein heifer calves born to cows receiving during the last 4 weeks of pregnancy a control diet (CON; 1.47 Mcal/kg dry matter and 15.3% crude protein) or CON plus ethyl cellulose rumen-protected methionine (MET; Mepron®, Evonik Industries AG, Germany). After birth, calves (n = 4 in each group) were randomly allocated considering dam treatment and colostrum as follows: calves from CON cows and colostrum from CON cows; calves from CON cows and colostrum from MET cows; calves from MET cows and colostrum from MET cows; and calves from MET cows and colostrum from CON cows. Blood was collected from the jugular vein at birth (before receiving colostrum, 0 d), 24 h after first colostrum and at 7, 21, 42 and 50 d of age. Birth body weight did not differ among calves. At birth calves from dams fed MET had a tendency for greater creatinine (P = 0.10; 248 vs 204 μmol/L ± 17), NEFA (P = 0.15; 1.22 vs 0.99 mmol/L ± 0.11), and albumin (P = 0.13; 30.6 vs 29.2 g/L ± 0.43). Over time, whole blood neutrophil phagocytosis in response to an in vitro challenge increased (MET × day, P = 0.02) to a greater extent in MET calves. Overall, MET calves had greater (0 to 52 d) neutrophil oxidative burst (P = 0.09; 61 vs 53% ± 3). Furthermore, these calves had lower concentration of nitric oxide (P = 0.03; 146.9 vs 166.8 μmol/L ± 5.9) and lower (P = 0.05; 147.2 vs 165.0 μmol/L ± 5.9) plasma ferric reducing ability (an antioxidant capacity assay). Regardless of cow diet, all heifers receiving colostrum from MET cows had overall greater (P = 0.05; 7.1 vs 6.4 mmol/L ± 0.25) blood glucose and lower (P = 0.03; 147 vs 167 μmol/L ± 5) nitric oxide concentration. Our results highlight the potential role of MET supply during late-gestation on oxidative stress and immune function during early life. The link between these factors and growth performance remain to be elucidated.