The Mets‘ have struggled in 2024. The blue and orange entered the campaign with a roster that could either compete for a playoff spot or be scrapped at the trade deadline.
While they have underperformed, largely due to injuries, and are eight games under .500 (29-37), the blue and orange are 3.5 games back of the final wild-card spot and are getting reinforcements.
Francisco Álvarez returned from the injured list after the 22-year-old had been out since April with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his thumb on Tuesday. All-star closer Edwin Díaz had been dealing with a right shoulder impingement, and he rejoined the roster on Thursday. Now, the ace of the Mets staff appears to be getting closer to returning.
Mets’ Kodai Senga completes a bullpen session
Before the Mets’ 10-4 victory over the Miami Marlins, Kodai Senga, who has yet to appear this season as he began the year on the injured list after suffering a shoulder strain in February, threw around a 30-pitch bullpen session.
“Everything’s going well. It’s progressing well,” Senga said through an interpreter. “My understanding is we’ll go into live and then into a rehab assignment at some point.”
(1) New York Post Sports on X: “Kodai Senga was asked if he’s confident he’ll pitch this season in the majors: “Yes.” https://t.co/M3sj9JsEc1″ / X
The Japanese native threw 166.1 innings across 29 starts in his debut season for the Mets to a 2.98 ERA with a 1.220 WHIP and 202 strikeouts. For his performance, Senga earned a trip to the all-star game, finished second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting, and seventh in the National League Cy-Young Award race.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza previously said that Senga likely wouldn’t pitch until after the all-star break, which runs from July 15-18.
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Time will tell when Senga finally returns, but his progression is a good sign for a blue and orange rotation that could be decimated at the trade deadline.