Kodai Senga Eyes Late-Season Return as Mets Battle for Playoff Spot
The New York Mets' starting rotation might receive a significant boost before the season's end, as Kodai Senga hopes to return to the mound ahead of the regular season's conclusion on September 29. The 31-year-old right-hander has endured a challenging year, with injuries sidelining him for nearly the entire campaign. Despite these setbacks, Senga estimates his recovery to be around 70% to 80%, fueling cautious optimism within the Mets' camp.
Senga's 2023 has been a stark contrast to his stellar rookie season. Last year, Senga showcased his talent with a 2.98 ERA across 29 starts, earning a spot in the All-Star Game and finishing second in Rookie of the Year Award voting. He also garnered a seventh-place finish in Cy Young Award voting, highlighting his impressive strikeout-to-walk ratio of 2.62 and an estimated 4.5 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) as cited by Baseball Reference.
However, this season has been a struggle from the start. Initially sidelined by a shoulder capsule strain until July 26, Senga's return was short-lived as he suffered a high-grade calf strain in his first start back. This limited him to a meager single major-league appearance, a significant blow to both him and the Mets.
David Stearns, the Mets' general manager, shared the sense of cautious optimism regarding Senga’s recovery. "If all continues to progress as it is right now, we should see him," Stearns stated, reflecting the team's hope that Senga can contribute during the critical final stretch of the season.
The Mets, currently tied with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the second wild-card spot, are in a precarious position. They hold a slim two-game lead over the Atlanta Braves and face a crucial upcoming three-game series against their division rivals. This series not only holds significant implications for the wild-card standings but could also determine the season series tiebreaker, effectively deciding which team advances to the playoffs.
The strain on the Mets' pitching staff has been palpable. Besides Senga's prolonged absence, the team has also had to cope with the loss of key pitchers Paul Blackburn and Christian Scott. Scott, unfortunately, requires season-ending elbow surgery, further depleting the rotation. This situation has forced the Mets to rely heavily on their bullpen and less-experienced starters, undoubtedly putting additional pressure on the team’s overall performance.
Given the high stakes, Senga’s potential return will be a pivotal moment for the Mets. His experience and ability to deliver high-quality starts could provide the team with the extra edge they need to secure their playoff berth. While his current recovery is promising, the true test will be how well he can perform under game conditions, a question that looms large over the Mets’ playoff hopes.
The narrative surrounding Senga and the Mets' 2023 season is one of resilience. Despite the significant injuries and setbacks, the team has managed to stay in the playoff hunt, a testament to their depth and determination. The hope now is that Senga’s return, coupled with the existing roster's efforts, can propel them into the postseason.
As the Mets prepare for their decisive series against the Braves, all eyes will be on Senga's progress. If he can make it back to the mound and perform close to his previous levels, it could swing the momentum in their favor during this critical juncture.
For now, Mets fans can only wait in anticipation, buoyed by the optimism from the team's management and the resilience shown by their players. Senga’s determination to return might just be the catalyst the Mets need to push through the final hurdle and secure their place in the playoffs.