WASHINGTON — Kodai Senga took the biggest step yet in a return to action Wednesday night by making a rehab start with High-A Brooklyn. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza received good news after the right-hander threw 35 pitches over 2 2/3 innings against Hudson Valley at Maimonides Park: Senga made it through without any setbacks and can advance to the next step in his rehab.
“All of the reports were positive,” Mendoza said Thursday at Nationals Park. “The velo was there and used all of his pitches. Everything is trending in the right direction.”
An injured ace no longer, Senga’s recovery from a strained posterior capsule in his right shoulder has taken about three months longer than anticipated, but it’s finally moving along at the right pace. Senga is scheduled to throw a bullpen in New York on Tuesday or Wednesday, before making his next rehab start with Triple-A Syracuse. He’ll work up to throwing 50 pitches in his Triple-A start.
The upcoming All-Star break complicates his timeline, but the Mets are discussing their options. The minor leagues also take a break in July, so there is a possibility of Senga throwing a simulated game during the break. The Mets don’t want Senga to lose momentum when he’s finally making progress in building himself up to a range of about 70-80 pitches.
Given all of the setbacks Senga has had during this rehab, the Mets aren’t looking any further ahead at the moment, but if he continues progressing at this rate, he’ll finally be able to make his long-awaited season debut after the All-Star break.
AMERICAN PASTIMES
Left-hander Jose Quintana celebrated his first Independence Day as an American Citizen. While the Colombian-born pitcher has made starts on July 4 in the past, it was far more meaningful this year to be able to toe the mound as an American.
Although Quintana didn’t get the win in the series finale against the Washington Nationals, his teammates still took time to congratulate him on a day that he had been looking forward to all year.
“It means a lot for me and my family,” Quintana said. “I’ve had the opportunity to pitch on the Fourth of July a couple times. I think I’ve had good numbers on that day.”
Quintana blanked the Nationals over seven innings but did not receive a decision in the Mets’ 1-0 loss.
Quintana passed his citizenship test in March during spring training. The team’s trip to London provided his first opportunity to use his new passport, something he took great pride in.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Harrison Bader (sore neck) and J.D. Martinez (sore left ankle) were not in the lineup Thursday. However, the two are expected to be back in the next series. It was a scheduled day off for Martinez with the early, 11 a.m. start.
After a collision with the right field wall on Tuesday night, Bader took a day off from baseball activities. However, he was cleared to play Thursday against Washington after going through his entire pregame routine without reporting any pain or stiffness in his neck or back.