Mets, Kodai Senga 'optimistic' he can return from IL before end of regular season

By his own admission, it's been a tough season for Mets starter Kodai Senga as injuries have limited the right-hander to just one start and 5.1 innings in 2024 after a sensational rookie campaign.

What's worse is during those 16 outs in late July at Citi Field, Senga looked as dominant as ever and appeared poised to be a real jolt for New York during the second half.

Unfortunately, his outing was cut short by a left calf strain after he had made it back to the mound from a right shoulder capsule strain that took longer than expected to heal.

However, with 25 regular season games remaining on the Mets' schedule, Senga believes he's on track to make a late-season return and get a chance to finally contribute to the team.

"I think I can get off the IL with about five games left in the season, give or take," he said on Monday through an interpreter. "I think what I can do is try to get back on that date or as close to that date as possible. That’s what I’m working towards."

Senga added that he feels "great" and that "everything is going pretty smoothly" during his rehab.

Manager Carlos Mendoza also spoke on Monday about his starter potentially returning for a late-season push and discussed what roles Senga could possibly fill if he were, in fact, to return.

"If that guy is healthy, in any way you can put him whether as a starter on a pitch count or out of the bullpen, those are some of the conversations that we’re gonna have with him," the skipper said. "The biggest thing is we gotta get him back to feeling 100 percent and healthy, ready to go and somehow being able to help us win baseball games. If he’s 100 percent, he will. Everything is on the table. We’ll be open to anything as long as he’s feeling well."

Despite the fickle nature of the recovery process and Senga's injury-riddled season overall, Mendoza, just like Senga, thinks there's a realistic possibility that the 31-year-old can return to the mound this season.

"Now as I sit here, yes," Mendoza said about the likelihood of a possible return. "After talking to him, after talking to some of the trainers that stayed back here with him and some of the things that he’s been able to do, watching him play catch – I’m optimistic."

Per Mendoza, Senga played catch on Monday from the mound and was "letting it go" as the Japanese-born pitcher continues to progress well and is trending in the right direction.

If Senga is able to return, though, the question becomes how would the Mets utilize him.

Senga, himself, said -- given the point of the season -- that it's unrealistic for him to come back and throw five or six innings a start. So, would New York start him for three or four innings or perhaps use him as a reliever?

"Whether they use me as a starter or in the bullpen that’s up to them," Senga said. "I just want to be ready for as many innings as possible for the team."

The right-hander added that he's "open to anything" but needs to "be able to throw at 100 percent" before that decision even comes to pass.

"I’m hoping I’m having those conversations. That would be great," Mendoza said. "You know, we’ll see… The one thing we know is if he’s ready to go he’ll be willing to do whatever it takes… I wouldn’t be surprised if we use him in any type of role."

Another factor that will be taken into account is where the Mets are in the standings.

Entering Monday, New York is 1 GB of the Atlanta Braves for the final Wild Card spot and has done well at bouncing back while facing adversity all season. If the Mets are still in the hunt during the final week of the season, that makes Senga's potential return even more important.

New York ends the regular season with three games on the road against the Braves before a three-game series in Milwaukee against the Brewers. Along the way, it will also face the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies seven times.

"I know that the last couple of games are going to be really important and because it’s gonna be important I need to be at 100 percent to get back to contribute for the team," Senga said.