PHILADELPHIA — Kodai Senga’s quest back to the majors and back to Mets relevance begins Friday.
The one-time ace will make his first start with Triple-A Syracuse after accepting a minor league option last Friday amid significant struggles at the major league level.
Senga is expected to make two starts to demonstrate to himself and the team that he has straightened himself out in time for what could be one final regular-season major league start.
Since being demoted, Senga has been throwing bullpen sessions and working on his mechanics, which he partially blamed for a miserable, eight-start stretch in which he pitched to a 6.56 ERA.
“He feels good. He feels like he’s in a good spot,” manager Carlos Mendoza said of Senga after those targeted bullpen sessions. “He’s made some adjustments with his mechanics. Now he’s got to go out on the mound and we got to see.”
The Mets have six starting pitchers at the moment and could get “creative,” as Mendoza has said, with the rotation after Monday’s off day.
Senga is not eligible to return, barring an injury to another Mets player, until Sept. 20.
David Peterson, who entered Thursday sporting a 7.42 ERA in his past six starts, was better but not the All-Star he became in the first half.
The lefty’s stuff was sharp and resulted in eight strikeouts, but he lasted just five innings in which he let up three runs.
Wearing an “NYPD” hat on Sept. 11, Mendoza began his pregame news conference with a statement:
“As I get to put on this uniform, this hat — what it represents on a day like today. Honoring, remembering all the people and the families that were lost on September 11,” Mendoza said. “Continuing to pray for those families.”
Luis Torrens, who was placed on the IL with a right forearm contusion Monday, is feeling “better,” Mendoza said.
The swelling has subsided, and the Mets are hopeful he will miss the minimum 10 days.
Tyrone Taylor (hamstring strain) had been expected to begin a rehab assignment next week but could be delayed because he is going home to his wife, who is expecting a baby any day now.
Luis Torrens, who was placed on the injured list with a right forearm contusion Monday, is feeling “better,” Mendoza said.
The swelling has subsided, and the Mets are hopeful he will miss the minimum 10 days.
Tyrone Taylor (hamstring strain) had been expected to begin a rehab assignment next week but could be delayed because he is going home to his wife, who is expecting a baby any day now.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
