New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga is set to start throwing again in about a week after doctors found that inflammation in his right shoulder has cleared up.
According to Mets manager Carlos Mendoza, an MRI done on Senga’s shoulder on Tuesday showed positive results, with the inflammation completely gone. The team’s medical staff reviewed the MRI on Wednesday and confirmed the improvement.
Senga had been sidelined last month due to discomfort in his shoulder. Mendoza expects Senga to resume throwing within the next week as long as he demonstrates that his shoulder has regained its strength.
While Senga will begin the season on the injured list, being cleared to throw gives him a chance to return to the pitching rotation by May.
The 31-year-old Senga, who signed a five-year, $75 million contract with the Mets after playing 11 seasons in Japan, had a successful rookie season with New York. He achieved a 12-7 record with a 2.98 ERA in 29 starts and earned recognition as the runner-up for National League Rookie of the Year and seventh place in NL Cy Young Award voting.
