Mets Notes: Kodai Senga progressing, next steps for Edwin Diaz

Here are the latest Mets notes as spring training rolls on...

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"So far, so good" for Kodai Senga

Senga received a platelet-rich plasma injection in his shoulder around Feb. 23, with the plan  being for him to be shut down for three weeks before starting to ramp up.

With that three-week period almost up, manager Carlos Mendoza provided an update on Senga on Wednesday.

"He's strengthening that shoulder," Mendoza told reporters. "He's continuing to say that he's feeling good, progressing well in the limited activity he's doing. A lot of shoulder exercises. So far, so good.

"I guess we'll wait until he starts playing catch and all that. But as of right now, he's moving in the right direction."

The expectation is that Senga will need about six weeks to ramp up once he's cleared to throw, which could mean a return to the Mets at some point in May.

Next steps for Edwin Diaz

Diaz pitched in an intrasquad game on Tuesday in what was his first game action since tearing his patellar tendon last March.

In his outing, Diaz's fastball was between 96 and 98 mph, and he said after that he is 100 percent ready.

"I just feel like I need competition. I’m ready," Diaz said. "I’m throwing my pitches like I want to. I feel 100 percent ready, so I need games, I told them. …Today was really good."

Mendoza noted on Wednesday that Diaz's next step would be another back field/minor league game before making his Grapefruit League debut.

Shintaro Fujinami set for debut

Fujinami recently returned to camp after tending to a personal issue in Japan.

The hard-throwing right-hander has been preparing for his first game action of the spring, which is set for Thursday.

"He's been throwing some long bullpens, up to like 40 pitches," Mendoza said. "It feels like he's ready to go, and we feel like he's in a good spot."

The 29-year-old could have an inside track at a bullpen spot for Opening Day, but since he has minor league options remaining, the Mets have the ability to start him in the minors if they so choose -- without running the risk of losing him to another team.