The New York Mets and injuries have seemingly gone hand in hand during the 2024 campaign, and that started before spring training even really got started.
In February, the projected ace of the rotation and 2023 all-star Kodai Senga suffered a moderate capsule strain in his right shoulder.
It has been a long road back for Senga, who has undergone numerous setbacks and missed bullpen, but the 31-year-old appeared to have made his final rehab start on Saturday night.
Kodai Senga struggled in his latest rehab start
After dominating his first three rehab starts, allowing just one run and striking out 12, Senga struggled when he took the bump to face the Rochester Red Wings.
The Japanese native lasted three innings, allowing eight hits and five runs while recording three walks and one strikeout on 79 pitches.
Despite the poor performance, Senga felt encouraged by how his body felt.
“The biggest thing is I feel good, my body feels good,” Senga said after the game through a translator. “That’s really important. My forkball wasn’t really good today. I was trying out different things, and they just got to me trying out different things.”
Senga set to return to the rotation against the Atlanta Braves
Prior to the Mets matinee matchup against the Miami Marlins, manager Carlos Mendoza revealed that Saturday’s rehab start may have been Senga’s last and that the 31-year-old could make his season debut against the Atlanta Braves on Friday.
“Everything is good so far. Everything is positive,” Mendoza said. “We’ve got to wait and see how today goes and tomorrow, and hopefully, he’s with us next time out. Everything is trending in the right direction.”
Getting Senga back will provide a considerable boost to the blue and orange rotation that has held up with their ace. The Japanese native threw 166.1 innings across 29 starts in 2023, posting a 2.98 ERA, 1.220 WHIP, and 202 strikeouts.
No pitcher is expected to lose their spot in the rotation for now, with the Mets anticipated to move to a six-man rotation.
