Mets ace dominates in first rehab assignment

Jun 1, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets injured starting pitcher Kodai Senga (34) throws a baseball in the outfield before a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Jun 1, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets injured starting pitcher Kodai Senga (34) throws a baseball in the outfield before a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Mets ought to be ecstatic after what their ace did on the mound in his first rehab appearance on his road back from a shoulder injury sustained last spring.

New York Post reporter Bradley Locker outlined Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga’s work on the mound in his first taste of minor league action this summer, saying:

“In his first rehab appearance of 2024, the 31-year-old struck out six in 2 ²/? scoreless, hitless innings for the Mets’ High-A affiliate Brooklyn Cyclones,” Locker wrote.

“Senga’s 35-pitch outing Wednesday night marked his first time facing hitters in a game this year after being sidelined with a shoulder injury for all of spring training.”

Mets: Kodai Senga’s rehab assignment came with many bumps in the road

The Japanese All-Star has yet to make his 2024 MLB season debut after suffering a posterior capsule strain in his right shoulder in spring training. Senga had been vocal on numerous occasions about wanting to take his rehab process slow to ensure his mechanics were all there, along with comfortability in his throwing shoulder, as both were causes for concern for him throughout.

After a couple of delays in his recovery program, the second-year MLB pro will be welcomed back in New York with open arms once he’s ready to make his first start in the big leagues.

Mets are set to get back Senga’s All-Star production in the midst of midseason surge

Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Senga posted a 12-7 record behind a pristine 2.98 ERA and a dominant 202 strikeouts in his rookie outing for the Mets. New York is in great need of those numbers back in their rotation.

His insertion back into the lineup comes at a great time, with the Mets (42-43) 6-4 in their last 10 games, including a 16-8 month of June, and officially back in the National League Wild Card hunt. With Senga having topped out at 97 mph in his first rehab performance, it’s looking like he’ll be set to return to form in short order.

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