Kodai Senga Eyes September Return Amid Mets' Playoff Push
As the regular season narrows down to its final days, the New York Mets are clinging to cautious optimism regarding the return of pitcher Kodai Senga. The 31-year-old hurler, sidelined for the majority of the season due to a series of injuries, hopes to make a comeback before the season wraps up on September 29.
Senga’s 2023 campaign has been a tumultuous one, largely restricted to rehab and recovery. After being initially benched with a shoulder capsule strain that kept him off the mound until July 26, Senga's comeback was cut short by a high-grade calf strain in his very first start back. The setbacks have limited him to a solitary major-league appearance this year, a stark contrast to his previous season. In 2022, Senga boasted a stunning 2.98 ERA across 29 starts, earning a spot in the All-Star Game and finishing second in the Rookie of the Year Award voting while placing seventh in Cy Young Award voting. His efforts contributed an estimated 4.5 Wins Above Replacement according to Baseball Reference, and he maintained an impressive 2.62 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Despite the turbulence, Senga estimates his current recovery to be between 70% and 80%. His potential return is a beacon of hope for the Mets, who are presently tied with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the second wild-card spot. With a marginal two-game lead over the Atlanta Braves, the upcoming three-game series against the Braves looms large, potentially determining the season series tiebreaker and which team advances to the playoffs.
The Mets' starting rotation has been severely impacted by Senga's absence, compounded by other key absences. Paul Blackburn and Christian Scott are both unavailable, with Scott requiring season-ending elbow surgery. These voids have put considerable strain on the bullpen and forced the team to rely heavily on lesser-experienced starters. However, the sentiment within the Mets' camp is one of cautious optimism regarding Senga’s return.
“If all continues to progress as it is right now, we should see him,” stated David Stearns, reflecting the guarded hope that Senga's comeback could provide the Mets with a much-needed boost during this critical juncture of the season.
Senga’s potential return could bolster a team in desperate need of stability on the mound. His 2022 performance set high expectations, and his tenacity through this grueling season underscores his value to the club. Should he manage to come back strong, he could significantly impact the Mets' playoff push, acting as a stabilizing force in their starting rotation.
As the countdown to September 29 continues, all eyes will be on Senga's progress. The Mets' playoff hopes may very well hinge on his ability to return to form, making these final days of the regular season a period of intense anticipation and critical importance.