Kodai Senga believes he can get back on the mound at or near the Sept. 25 date that he is eligible to be activated off the 60-day injured list after straining his calf on July 26. Still, both he and the Mets know that it is more likely that he will be used as a reliever rather than the ace starter he has quickly become.
The 31-year-old right-hander has been limited to just 5.1 innings this season after dealing with a shoulder injury before straining his calf during his season debut against the Atlanta Braves when he struck out nine.
Senga had a catch on Sunday and is nearing the start of throwing off a mound — the best-case scenario being that he can return when there are five games left in the regular season later this month when the Mets are in Atlanta to face a Braves team they are currently chasing for the final postseason spot in the National League before a trip to Milwaukee to meet the Brewers.
“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.”
Should he meet that timetable, Senga still would not be stretched out long enough to take on a legitimate starter’s workload. So, what sort of role could he take on in the Mets’ bullpen?
The option of a multi-inning reliever is on the table, but the Mets have that option in Jose Butto. However, they recently have been using him more as an eighth-inning set-up option in front of Edwin Diaz while most of the rest of the bullpen struggles.
Considering Senga’s arsenal and the untouchability of his ghost forkball, the more realistic likelihood is that he would be used as more of a free safety within the bullpen — getting the call when a high-leverage situation dictates it. There certainly will be ample opportunities with the Mets’ postseason hopes currently resting on a knife’s edge entering Tuesday night’s matchup with the Boston Red Sox just a half-game behind the Braves for the third NL Wild Card spot.
Of course, navigating his availability in such a role is tricky. Would he be able to pitch on back-to-back days after being on the shelf for so long?
“We’ll be open to anything as long as he’s feeling well,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said.
“Anything,” from Senga would provide an immeasurable boost regardless of its role.
