Senga Eyes September Return Amidst Injury-Hit Season
Kodai Senga, the 31-year-old right-handed pitcher for the New York Mets, is optimistic about making a return to the mound before the conclusion of the regular season on September 29. Senga has faced a challenging 2023 campaign, plagued by a series of injuries that have curtailed his appearances and hampered the Mets' rotation.
Senga's recovery has been a rollercoaster, with the veteran pitcher currently estimating his condition to be between 70% and 80%. Despite the setbacks, there is a sense of cautious optimism within the Mets' camp regarding his return. "If all continues to progress as it is right now, we should see him," noted David Stearns, reflecting the team’s hopeful yet careful approach.
Injuries Derail Senga's Season
The instability in Senga’s season began with a shoulder capsule strain that sidelined him until July 26. His return was short-lived as he then suffered a high-grade calf strain during his first start back. These consecutive injuries have limited Senga to just one major-league appearance this year, a stark contrast to his impressive performance in the previous season.
Reflecting on last season, Senga was a dominant force on the mound, boasting a 2.98 ERA across 29 starts. His stellar season earned him a spot in the All-Star Game, and he finished with a notable strikeout-to-walk ratio of 2.62. Additionally, Senga was estimated to have contributed 4.5 Wins Above Replacement according to Baseball Reference. His efforts did not go unnoticed as he finished second in the Rookie of the Year Award voting and seventh in the Cy Young Award voting.
Mets' Rotation Under Strain
The Mets have had to grapple with the absence of not just Senga but other key pitchers as well. Paul Blackburn and Christian Scott, who requires season-ending elbow surgery, are also unavailable, further straining an already stretched rotation. In the wake of these injuries, the Mets have been compelled to rely heavily on their bullpen and lesser-experienced starters, making Senga’s potential return all the more crucial.
The timing of Senga's comeback is especially significant as the Mets are currently locked in a tight battle for playoff contention. They are tied with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the second wild-card spot and hold a marginal two-game lead over the Atlanta Braves. The upcoming three-game series against the Braves is poised to be a critical juncture for the Mets, with the outcome potentially determining the season series tiebreaker and which team advances to the playoffs.
High Stakes and Cautious Optimism
The Mets' hopes are buoyed by a sense of cautious optimism surrounding Senga’s recovery. His return could not only bolster the rotation but also provide a psychological lift to a team navigating the pressures of a playoff race. The sentiment within the team echoes this optimism, as they remain hopeful that Senga can regain the form that made him a standout last season.
As the regular season draws to a close, Senga's progress will be closely monitored. The combination of his resilient spirit and the team's strategic management of his recovery will be critical in determining whether he can make a significant impact as the Mets eye a deep postseason run.
While the journey back to full health has been arduous, Senga’s determination remains unwavering. If his recovery continues on its positive trajectory, the Mets may just witness a much-needed resurgence from their star pitcher at a pivotal moment in their season.