PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — On Saturday, Kodai Senga, the right-handed pitcher for the New York Mets, participated in live batting practice, and the team’s coaching staff expressed optimism about his performance following a season marred by injuries.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza observed Senga with satisfaction, noting, “I saw a smile on his face — that’s a good sign. It’s good. The fact that he’s facing hitters this early in camp, that’s a good sign.”
Mendoza further commented on Senga’s effortless pitching style, mentioning, “I was asking for the velo with the way the ball was coming out, using all his pitches already; the delivery, everything, it looked good.”
Last year, Senga was limited to just one start in July due to shoulder and calf injuries, despite beginning the season as the presumed ace of the rotation. He made a return during the playoffs but faced challenges, recording a 12.60 ERA over two starts and one relief outing.
The Mets are optimistic that Senga can rebound to showcase the skills that earned him recognition two seasons ago. In 2023, he enjoyed a successful campaign, finishing with a record of 12 wins and 7 losses, boasting a 2.98 ERA over 29 starts. He was honored as an All-Star, finished as the runner-up for the NL Rookie of the Year, and ranked seventh in the NL Cy Young Award voting.
The Mets are coming off a season that exceeded their initial expectations. After a shaky start, where they managed to win just 22 out of 55 games, the team regrouped and finished the season strong. They advanced in the postseason by defeating both Milwaukee and Philadelphia before their impressive run came to an end during Game 6 of the NL Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
