PORT ST. LUCIE — Kodai Senga might require more time than expected before he starts throwing again.
This Friday, Senga will be three weeks out since receiving a PRP injection to address his right shoulder strain.
But while that date had initially been targeted as the righty’s potential return to throwing, manager Carlos Mendoza said that Senga might now take “an extra week or so.”
“Not a setback, none of that,” Mendoza insisted, “but we want to make sure that before he picks up a baseball, he’s strong and that we’re comfortable.”
It is unclear, however, if this means Senga’s rehab timetable is being pushed back as well.
The expectation for Senga’s return to throwing had always included missing Opening Day.
But president of baseball operations David Stearns had declined to specify a timetable when he addressed the injury earlier this spring, though he insisted that he still expected Senga to pitch frequently this season.
In his first MLB season, Senga started 29 games, compiled a 2.98 ERA and made the National League’s All-Star team — adjusting to his first MLB season seamlessly after a tenure in Nippon Professional Baseball and becoming one of the Mets’ most consistent starters. The Mets were cautious with monitoring the days between Senga’s starts and building him up to a regular-rest timeline, too.
“The only thing I really have to say is I am using my time to my benefit,” Senga told reporters through his interpreter on Feb. 25, when he returned to Clover Park after receiving the PRP injection. “I am working on things I need to work on and making sure I can get out there as quickly as possible, and once I am out there, I can dominate and help the team win.”
But with Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer traded, and Carlos Carrasco departing in free agency, Senga was positioned to serve as the rotation’s centerpiece.
“Overall, he’s moving in the right direction,” Mendoza said, “and we’re pretty happy with where he’s at right now in his rehab process.”
Brett Baty was a precautionary scratch from the Mets’ lineup due to minor back tightness and is day-to-day, according to the team. Mark Vientos shifted to third base, while Ji-Man Choi played first against the Astros.
Luis Severino made his third start of spring training Wednesday, and he compiled five scoreless innings — scattering just three hits — across his first two appearances. Jake Diekman, Shintaro Fujinami and Drew Smith were expected to follow out of the bullpen.
And when the Mets face the Cardinals on Thursday, Jose Butto, competing for the final rotation spot, will make his third start of the spring after his previous two appearances came in relief. He didn’t allow a run in either of his first two starts.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]