Kodai Senga was selected to the 2023 National League All-Star team and finished second in NL Rookie of the Year voting last season. The New York Mets were hopeful that Senga would lead the rotation once again in 2024. However, Senga has not pitched yet in 2024 due to an injury.
He has been battling a shoulder issue. Mets fans were hoping he would have returned by now. Senga revealed the reason why he has yet to begin a rehab assignment, via ESPN.
“With my current mechanics, I didn't think I'd be able to come back at 100 percent,” Senga said via interpreter on Monday. “So taking a little bit of time to look over everything, making sure everything is perfect before I get back into games, is the right move. All my power output was not going toward the catcher. I wasn't able to deliver 100% of it toward the catcher, which is very important. When that is happening, I'm more susceptible to getting hit and also more susceptible to injuries if that continues.”
The Mets need Senga in the rotation. He pitched to a 2.98 ERA across 29 starts in 2023. Senga added 202 strikeouts during his first season in the big leagues.
New York struggled overall in 2023, but Senga was a bright spot for the team. The Mets are currently hovering around the .500 mark in 2024. They could still make an NL Wild Card push, but Senga's injury status will play a role in determining how the Mets fare this season.
Mets trying to find success despite Kodai Senga's injury absence
The Mets miss Senga without question. New York's pitching is 11th in ERA, 19th in WHIP, 13th in runs allowed, and second in home runs allowed. The Mets are finding ways to stay afloat, but they will take a step forward once Senga returns.
Jose Quintana and Adrian Houser have struggled in the starting rotation. Sean Manaea and Luis Severino have pitched well, however. Meanwhile, Tylor Megill and David Peterson are on the injured list.
Manaea and Severino were offseason additions. Both pitchers entered 2024 with uncertainty, but they have rewarded the Mets thus far.
If New York fails to emerge as a contender by July, perhaps both pitchers will be traded. New York would certainly love to make a playoff push, though. Right now, the Mets are a difficult team to trust. They have displayed signs of potential in a number of games, but in other contests they have played like a rebuilding team.
Finding balance and consistency is the key for this Mets ball club. If they can accomplish that feat, then they will turn a corner. For now, it is difficult to envision them making a serious postseason push, though.
As far as Kodai Senga's injury status is concerned, his return date remains unclear. He wants to make sure he is completely ready to pitch at the big league level again before returning. The Mets will continue to closely monitor his status moving forward.
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