New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga is sending a message to his team and fans, in the midst of an injury recovery. Senga says he's upset he is not available to help the team right now.
“It's obviously not ideal, a lot of regretful feelings,” Senga said through a translator, per the Associated Press. “I just want to get back out there. I'm here at the stadium. I see all the guys fighting, and it really makes me want to have the urge to go back out there and pitch for the team.”
Senga has been out all season due to shoulder and arm fatigue. The recovery has been frustrating, Senga said. The season has also been frustrating for the Mets, who are floundering with a 22-30 record.
The Mets and Senga this year
The Mets had such high expectations for Senga this year. The Japanese hurler had a fantastic year in 2023, with a 12-7 record and a WHIP of 1.22. In 29 games of pitching for the Mets, he had a ERA of 2.98. Senga was widely expected to be the crown jewel of the New York pitcher rotation this season.
It hasn't worked out. Senga reported for duty this spring with a hurt shoulder, and it has kept him off the mound. The hurler's arm is fatigued from his fire-powered throwing. The injury has stopped him from pitching in a single game this year, and Mets management isn't sure when he will return.
“It's hard to put a timetable here,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said, per the Associated Press. “We got a pretty frustrated player here that he's not able to contribute to the team.”
Senga has received treatment and medical attention for his sore shoulder, including an MRI. The pitcher is expected to receive additional treatment, and resume pitching again as soon as Wednesday, per the Associated Press.
“I think that I understand my body well and I think things could have gotten better,” Senga added. “I'm not overly surprised of where I am. I think I could have fixed some things.”
Mets' season
Mets fans and players are hoping for the hurler's quick return. New York started the season on the wrong foot, losing its first five games. Things haven't gotten much better, and the team is 22-30 heading into a game Tuesday with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The fans may have to wait a good while longer, because things just aren't going very well in Queens. The team has now lost 7 of their last 10 games. If the Mets can't start winning some games, the team's ownership may decide to just rest Senga for as long as they can. New York is now a woeful 14.5 games behind first in the National League East division. The team is rumored to be shopping Pete Alonso and some other players around before the league's trade deadline at the end of July.
The Mets and Dodgers play at 4:10 Eastern on Tuesday.
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