Mets plan on giving Kodai Senga a third rehab start before All-Star break
In Kodai Senga's second rehab start on Tuesday with Syracuse, he threw 52 pitches in 2 2/3 innings, allowed two hits, walked two and struck out three for the Brooklyn Cyclones on July 3, 2024. Credit: Olivia Falcigno
Although the Mets weren’t ready to make a full-on commitment to the plan, they would like Kodai Senga to make his third minor-league rehab start on Sunday with Triple-A Syracuse before the All-Star break.
Senga, who has been on the injured list all season with a shoulder strain, made his second rehab start on Tuesday with Syracuse, throwing 52 pitches in 2 2/3 innings. He gave up two hits, walked two and struck out three. He also threw a pair of wild pitches.
“First and foremost, I was able to throw healthily so that was good,” Senga told reporters through an interpreter after the game. “I have no issues with my arm, it feels great, and my body feels great so that’s a big plus.”
The righthander hasn’t typically pitched on just four days’ rest, but the club has an interest in him getting one more appearance in before the All-Star break.
“There could be a chance that he pitches on Sunday in Syracuse on regular rest, but that’s still TBD based on today and tomorrow.” manager Carlos Mendoza said before the Mets faced Washington Wednesday night. “Hopefully tomorrow at the end of the day we could be firm and move forward with the plan that he pitches on regular rest Sunday.”
Senga was projected to be the club’s top starting pitcher after going 12-7 with a 2.98 ERA as a rookie last season. He began his rehab assignment July 3 with a start for High-A Brooklyn.
Garrett placed on IL
The Mets placed righthanded reliever Reed Garrett on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation. In Tuesday night’s win over the Nationals, he gave up three runs and retired only two batters in the ninth inning, forcing the Mets to use Edwin Diaz to get the final out of the 7-5 win.
The club sent him for an MRI exam Wednesday. Lefty Danny Young was called up.
“After the outing last night he came in and complained about the forearm/elbow area, so we were waiting to see how he was going to respond today,” Mendoza said. “He came in pretty much the same, so he’s getting an MRI right now to see what we’ve got.”
Extra bases
Mendoza said that for the moment — with Garrett out — Jose Butto will remain with the big-league club and pitch in relief. He added that the team is considering sending him to Syracuse to be stretched out as a starter. “That’s the balance we’re dealing with: Whether we keep him here as a bullpen guy or does he need to go back down and continue to start and continue to stretch (out). We just have to get through the next five games and see where we are moving forward.” . . . Righthander Eric Orze was optioned to Syracuse to make room for reliever Phil Maton, acquired in a trade with the Rays on Tuesday.
Roger Rubin returned to Newsday in 2018 to write about high schools, colleges and baseball following 20 years at the Daily News. A Baseball Hall of Fame voter since 2011, he has covered 13 MLB postseasons and 14 NCAA Final Fours.
