New York Mets ace Kodai Senga is changing the way he’s pitching in rehab as his 2024 MLB season debut nears. Senga has not taken the mound for the Mets this year after sustaining a posterior capsule strain in his right shoulder this spring. He is eligible to return on May 27 but won’t play until he’s comfortable with his throwing.
Kodai Senga is changing his mechanics
As new developments have unfolded in his recovery process over the last couple of weeks, Senga spoke on what he’s doing to get back to full strength. He cited his desire to make sure his mechanics are “perfect” before initiating his return, as SNY shared on X:
Mets: Kodai Senga still needs time to work on throwing after facing live batters last week
Senga is still “a few weeks away from a potential rehab assignment” in the minor leagues, though he threw 32 pitches against live batters last week.
Per Dan Martin of the New York Post, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza doubled down on comments he made days ago about the team taking a patient approach with the Japanese talent in the throes of his amped-up recovery process while addressing the woes he’s facing with his mechanics, (h/t Bleacher Report’s Zach Bachar):
“He said he feels fine [and] his arm feels good,” Mendoza said. “He keeps saying he’s not feeling his mechanics are there and doesn’t want to push it [until] he finds that rhythm.”
Why Senga’s mechanics are important to his All-Star arm
Senga’s mechanics have been crucial to his dominance on the field. They’ve helped him post a 95.7 mph fastball for his 2023 campaign, which ranked in the 79th percentile among all pitchers, and accurately find the strike zone with a 29.1 percent strikeout percentage that season.
The Mets (19-21) will need that firepower and his immaculate 11.1 percent walk rate along with his 2.98 ERA and 202 strikeouts from a year ago to help their pitching staff and elevate the team to above .500 in the standings.