Potential Delay Anticipated for Mets’ Pitcher Kodai Senga’s Return to Throwing
The New York Mets might have to wait a little longer for pitcher Kodai Senga to start throwing again. Senga received a PRP injection to address his right shoulder strain three weeks ago, and initially, it was hoped that he would be ready to return to throwing by this Friday. However, manager Carlos Mendoza has now stated that Senga might need an extra week or so before he can start throwing.
Mendoza was quick to clarify that this delay is not a setback, but rather a precautionary measure to ensure that Senga is fully recovered and ready to go. The team wants to make sure that Senga’s shoulder is strong and that they are comfortable with his progress before he picks up a baseball again.
It is unclear at this point if this delay will affect Senga’s overall rehab timetable. The expectation was always that he would miss Opening Day, but president of baseball operations David Stearns did not provide a specific timetable for Senga’s return when he addressed the injury earlier this spring. However, Stearns did express confidence that Senga would be able to pitch frequently this season.
Senga had an impressive debut season in the MLB, starting 29 games and compiling a 2.98 ERA. He even made the National League’s All-Star team, showcasing his talent and adaptability after transitioning from Nippon Professional Baseball. The Mets have been cautious with managing Senga’s workload and ensuring that he follows a regular-rest timeline.
In an interview on February 25, Senga expressed his determination to return to the field as quickly as possible and help his team win. He emphasized that he was using his time wisely to work on the things he needed to improve upon.
With the recent trades of Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, as well as Carlos Carrasco’s departure in free agency, Senga was expected to be a key player in the Mets’ rotation. Despite the potential delay in his return to throwing, Mendoza remains optimistic about Senga’s progress and is pleased with where he is at in his rehab process.
In other news, Brett Baty was a late scratch from the Mets’ lineup due to minor back tightness. The team has stated that he is day-to-day. Luis Severino had an impressive outing in his third start of spring training, pitching five scoreless innings and allowing only three hits. Jose Butto, who is competing for the final rotation spot, will make his third start of the spring against the Cardinals after two successful relief appearances.
While the Mets may have to wait a bit longer for Senga to return to throwing, they remain hopeful that he will be back on the mound soon and continue to be a valuable asset to the team’s rotation.
