Mets, Kodai Senga should get better idea of pitcher's status this week, three weeks after injection in shoulder
New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga during a press conference Thursday Feb. 22, 2024 in Port St. Lucie FL. Senga will miss the start of the season with shoulder strain. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Kodai Senga will hit an important checkpoint in his recovery from a right shoulder strain this week.
Friday will mark three weeks since his platelet-rich plasma injection, which came with a shutdown of approximately three weeks.
Recent feedback has been positive, but manager Carlos Mendoza said the Mets do not know yet when Senga will get clearance.
“Everything is moving in the right direction,” Mendoza said. “I know they’re working really hard with his shoulder strength and all that. So I think we got another [several days] before we decide if he’s going to start playing catch or not, but as of right now, everything is trending in the right direction.”
Since he will need at least a six-week buildup upon resuming throwing, Senga’s best-case scenario involves missing April.
A perfect afternoon
Righthander Adrian Houser struck out five of the 10 batters he faced during his perfect 3 1/3 innings on Sunday, the highlight of the Mets’ 3-2 exhibition loss to the Tigers.
Houser came away satisfied, having been touched up for three runs in less than two innings in his previous outing.
“It felt like I was finally pitching,” said Houser, who threw only 37 pitches. “Finally getting into a groove, getting synced up. Changing some things with mechanics, felt a little better today. I think we’re getting really close to being right where we need to be.”
Mendoza added: “He was so pitch efficient that we decided to send him back out for a fourth up [partial inning]. Just for one hitter. Even though it was just one pitch, it was good to get him that fourth up. Overall, a good outing for him.”
Good first impression
Backup outfielder Tyrone Taylor, an offseason acquisition with Houser from the Brewers, has looked strong, particularly on defense.
“I’ve been impressed with the way he’s playing centerfield,” Mendoza said. “Some of the jumps, some of the plays he’s made there so far have been really, really good to see. His at-bats, the way he runs the bases. He’s a great kid in the locker room too. I’m excited about having Taylor on our team.”
Extra bases
Mark Vientos followed his multi-hit game Saturday with his second home run of the spring on Sunday, an opposite-field shot to right. “He’s feeling pretty good right now,” Mendoza said. “He’s seeing the ball well. He’s putting good swings on the ball. Another good game for him, especially going oppo. It was good to see. Keep it going.” . . . Former Mets outfielder Mark Canha, now with the Tigers, received a round of applause from the Clover Park crowd before his at-bat in the second inning . . . Tigers pitching prospect Wilmer Flores, brother of former Mets infielder Wilmer Flores, tossed a scoreless fourth inning against the middle of the Mets’ order . . . Mets owner Steve Cohen had been scheduled to speak to reporters for the first time during spring training Sunday morning. But that plan changed the night prior for undisclosed reasons.
Tim Healey is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. Born on Long Island and raised in Connecticut, Tim has previously worked for the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the Boston Globe and MLB.com. He is also the author of “Hometown Hardball,” a book about minor league baseball in the northeast.
