PORT ST. LUCIE — Kodai Senga’s second Grapefruit League start resembled the kind of performance common from him in the first half of last season.
The right-hander fired three perfect innings in the Mets’ 1-0 exhibition loss to the Marlins on Friday, finishing with five strikeouts and departing after 38 pitches. Senga said he threw another 30 pitches in the bullpen after leaving the game.
Senga pitched last season to a 1.39 ERA in the first half before a tailspin after the All-Star break pushed him to accept a minor league assignment in September.
On this night, Senga averaged 96.5 mph with his four-seam fastball.
He topped out at 98.6 mph with the pitch. Senga showed similar velocity in his initial Grapefruit League start last weekend.
“I am healthy and I think that is the most important thing,” Senga said through his interpreter.
Clay Holmes pitched five innings (62 pitches) in a piggyback role, allowing him the buildup he needed in his progression toward the regular season.
The right-hander departed Team USA in the World Baseball Classic because of the uncertainty of whether he would receive enough innings to build up if he remained.
“It was a tough decision I had to make, but it was the right one,” Holmes said.
Francisco Lindor batted against A.J. Minter, the shortstop’s first live batting practice since undergoing left hamate bone surgery last month.
The Mets remain optimistic that Lindor will be ready for Opening Day. The team’s president of baseball operations, David Stearns, has indicated Lindor will have to play in games this spring before he’s cleared for Opening Day.
Tyrone Taylor said his plan is to change his uniform number sooner rather than later (perhaps before the start of the season).
As The Post reported, Carlos Beltrán’s No. 15 will be retired by the Mets on a date the club hasn’t yet announced.
Taylor, who wears No. 15, said he needs to consult with clubhouse manager Kevin Kierst to find out which numbers are available. *
Luis Robert Jr. started a second straight game in center field and played six innings — his Grapefruit League debut occurred a day earlier after the Mets held him back to allow him to strengthen his legs.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
