Kodai Senga hopes to pitch again for the New York Mets this season, possibly even in a relief role, if the team is still in the playoff hunt when he’s eligible to come off the 60-day injured list on September 25.
Senga missed the first 102 games while recovering from a shoulder injury and only played once on July 26. In that game, he struck out nine Atlanta Braves in 5 1/3 innings but then strained his left calf while avoiding a popup.
The 31-year-old right-handed pitcher, who finished second in the NL Rookie of the Year voting last season after going 12-7 with a 2.98 ERA and 202 strikeouts, was placed on the 15-day injured list the next day and moved to the 60-day IL on July 28.
If he comes back on the first possible date, Senga would be available for the Mets’ last five regular-season games against the Braves and Milwaukee Brewers. As of Monday, New York was one game behind Atlanta for the final NL wild card spot.
“I think what I can try to do is get back on that date or as close to that date as possible,” Senga said through a translator before Monday night’s series opener against the Boston Red Sox.
“And that’s what I’m working towards.” Senga played catch off a mound on Sunday and mentioned he is almost ready to pitch from the mound.
He noted that he wouldn’t be prepared for a typical starter’s workload and said he is open to pitching out of the bullpen. Senga has made all 30 of his major league appearances as a starter.
“Whether they use me as a starter or in the bullpen, that’s up to them,” Senga said. “I just want to be ready to throw as many innings as possible.”
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said he’d be happy to have Senga pitch in any role. “We’ll be open to anything as long as he’s feeling well,” Mendoza said.
