Kodai Senga Eyes Late-Season Return Amid Mets' Playoff Push
As the New York Mets maneuver through a season plagued with injuries, pitcher Kodai Senga hopes to deliver a ray of hope by making his much-anticipated return before the regular season concludes on September 29. With Senga estimating his recovery to be between 70% and 80%, there's a cautious yet palpable optimism within the Mets' camp regarding his comeback.
Senga's 2023 campaign has been a challenging one. After being sidelined by a shoulder capsule strain until July 26, his first start back was cut short by a high-grade calf strain. These injuries have limited him to just a single major-league appearance this season, a stark contrast to his spectacular 2022 form. Last season, the 31-year-old right-hander posted a 2.98 ERA across 29 starts, earned a spot in the All-Star Game, and finished second in Rookie of the Year Award voting and seventh in Cy Young Award voting. His performance also included a 2.62 strikeout-to-walk ratio and an estimated 4.5 Wins Above Replacement, according to Baseball Reference.
The Mets have felt the strain of Senga's absence acutely, especially with other key pitchers like Paul Blackburn and Christian Scott also unavailable. Scott's season-ending elbow surgery and Blackburn's ongoing issues have forced the Mets to rely heavily on their bullpen and less experienced starters. This has come at a critical juncture of the season as the Mets are currently tied with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the second wild-card spot, maintaining a minimal two-game lead over the Atlanta Braves.
The upcoming three-game series against the Braves has the potential to be season-defining, possibly determining the season series tiebreaker and the subsequent advancement to the playoffs. David Stearns encapsulated the sense of cautious optimism surrounding Senga's return, stating, "If all continues to progress as it is right now, we should see him."
Senga's injuries this season have been particularly frustrating not just for him but for a Mets' starting rotation that has been under considerable pressure. The injuries to key players have compounded the challenges for a team fighting to keep its postseason hopes alive. As Senga pushes through his recovery, the combination of his potential return and the team's collective resilience could provide a much-needed boost.
The Mets are in dire need of reinforcements, and Senga's possible return could be the catalyst they need. His successful stint last season showed his capability to be a game-changer on the mound. His return could potentially stabilize a rotation that has been beleaguered by injuries throughout the season.
With so much at stake in the final stretch of the regular season, every game, inning, and pitch will count. As the Mets prepare for their critical series against the Braves, the return of a pitcher of Senga’s caliber could very well be the key difference-maker. While his physical condition remains at 70% to 80%, the hope is that his experience and skill will help him reclaim his top form quickly.
In a season where every decision, every lineup change, and every comeback is amplified by the looming postseason, Senga's return can't come soon enough for the Mets. As they hold onto cautious optimism, fans and teammates alike will be eagerly watching his progress, hopeful that his return could tip the scales in their favor as they make one final push for the playoffs.