Kodai Senga’s return to the Mets is gaining momentum.
The right-hander hopes to come back from a high-grade calf strain during the final week of the regular season and is open to pitching out of the bullpen, he said Monday at Citi Field.
“Given where we are in the season, realistically, am I going to be able to throw five, six innings as a starter? Probably not,” Senga said through a team interpreter. “Whether they use me as a starter or in the bullpen, that’s up to them. I just want to be ready to throw as many innings as possible for the team.”
Senga, 31, is eligible to be activated from the 60-day injured list on Sept. 25. Returning on or around that day is Senga’s mission, which manager Carlos Mendoza described Monday as a realistic goal.
“After talking to him, after talking to some of the trainers that stayed back here with him [during the Mets’ recent road trip], and some of the things that he’s been able to do, I’m optimistic,” Mendoza said.
The Mets initially feared Senga’s regular season was over after he injured his calf during his season debut on July 26, but they have been pleased by his progress in the five weeks since.
On Monday, Senga played catch at Citi Field and said he feels ready to throw lightly off the mound “at any time.” He also did some running on the field Monday.
The Mets, who began Monday a game behind the Braves for the third and final NL Wild Card spot, are scheduled to begin what could be a crucial three-game series in Atlanta on Sept. 24. They are set to end the regular season in Milwaukee on Sept. 29.
The Japanese-born Senga pitched to a 12-7 record, a 2.98 ERA and 202 strikeouts over 166.1 innings last season, which was his first in the U.S.
Senga was expected to begin this season as the Mets’ No. 1 starter, but he was diagnosed during spring training with a shoulder strain. Amid his rehab for that injury, an MRI on his triceps in May revealed nerve inflammation. In total, Senga missed the first four months of the season.
Senga allowed two runs over 5.2 innings against the Braves in his lone start of 2024, striking out nine.
If Senga is able to return this month, the Mets will discuss with him whether to deploy him as a reliever or as a starter on a pitch count, Mendoza said.
“Everything’s on the table,” Mendoza said. “We’ll be open to anything as long as he’s feeling well.”
None of Senga’s 30 career MLB appearances have come out of the bullpen.
“Rehab has been going really smoothly, really well, and given that the team is in a really exciting spot, it’s important for me to not get too excited, because I don’t want to cause anything or have another big injury,” Senga said. “I need to make this go right the first time around so that I can come back and contribute.”