Mets’ Kodai Senga prepares to pitch in the first inning of the game against the Braves on July 26 in New York.
11:51 JST, September 4, 2024
NEW YORK (AP) — Kodai Senga hopes to pitch for the New York Mets again this season — perhaps even as a reliever — if they’re still in contention for the playoffs when he can return from the 60-day injured list on Sept. 25.
Senga missed the first 102 games with a shoulder injury, making his lone appearance on July 26, striking out nine batters in 5⅓ innings for the Atlanta Braves before straining his left calf trying to avoid a pop-up.
The 31-year-old right-handed pitcher, who finished second in NL Rookie of the Year voting after posting a 12-7 record with a 2.98 ERA and 202 strikeouts last season, was placed on the injured list for 15 days the next day and was reassigned to the IL for 60 days on July 28.
If he returns when he is first eligible, Senga would be active for the Mets’ final five regular-season games against the Braves and Milwaukee Brewers. New York entered Monday’s battle for the final NL wild card one game behind Atlanta.
“I think I can try to get back to that date or as close to that date as possible,” Senga said through an interpreter before Monday night’s series opener against the Boston Red Sox. “And that’s what I’m working toward.”
Senga caught off a mound Sunday and said he is nearly ready to make pitches from the mound. He acknowledged he would not be stretched to the workload of a regular starter and said he is prepared to pitch out of the bullpen. Senga has made all 30 of his major-league appearances as a starter.
“Whether they use me as a starter or in the bullpen, that’s up to them,” Senga said. “I just want to be ready to throw as many innings as possible.”
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said he would welcome Senga pitching in any capacity.
“We are open to anything as long as he feels good,” Mendoza said.
