Kodai Senga Eyes a Return Amid Mets' Playoff Push
New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga is aiming for a comeback before the regular season ends on September 29, a development that could not come at a more crucial time for his team. Battling multiple injuries this season, Senga estimates his recovery to be between 70% and 80%, a significant enough margin to foster cautious optimism within the Mets’ camp.
At 31, Senga's 2023 campaign has been nothing short of tumultuous. Limited to just a single major-league appearance this year, he was initially sidelined by a shoulder capsule strain that kept him out until July 26. His first start back proved disastrous, as he suffered a high-grade calf strain, further complicating his return to the mound.
Last season painted a drastically different picture for Senga. He finished the year with a stellar 2.98 ERA across 29 starts, earning him a spot in the All-Star Game. His performances also translated into considerable accolades, including a second-place finish in Rookie of the Year Award voting and a seventh-place finish in the Cy Young Award voting. His impressive 2.62 strikeout-to-walk ratio and an estimated 4.5 Wins Above Replacement, according to Baseball Reference, highlighted his importance to the team.
Yet, the current season has posed significant challenges for the Mets' starting rotation. Besides Senga’s injuries, the team has had to cope with absences from other key pitchers. Paul Blackburn is currently unavailable, and Christian Scott’s season has been cut short by a season-ending elbow surgery. In Senga’s absence, the Mets have been forced to lean heavily on their bullpen and less-experienced starters, further straining their pitching depth.
Despite these adversities, the Mets' playoff hopes remain very much alive. They are presently tied with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the second wild-card spot and hold a marginal two-game lead over the Atlanta Braves. With a critical three-game series against the Braves upcoming, the stakes could not be higher; this series could determine the season series tiebreaker and, consequently, which team advances to the playoffs.
David Stearns, the team’s baseball operations leader, expressed cautious optimism regarding Senga’s potential return. "If all continues to progress as it is right now, we should see him," Stearns noted, underscoring the importance of Senga’s recovery in this critical stretch.
The prospect of Senga’s return brings a glimmer of hope to a beleaguered Mets rotation, which has been beset by injuries beyond just those of Senga, Blackburn, and Scott. With the season winding down, each game takes on amplified importance, and the return of a pitcher of Senga’s caliber could provide an invaluable boost.
As the regular season comes to a dramatic close, the Mets will need all hands on deck to secure their playoff ambitions. If Senga can make his way back to the mound in time, his contributions could play a pivotal role in the Mets’ quest to extend their season into October. For now, all eyes remain on his recovery as the Mets prepare for one of the most crucial stretches of their season.