PORT ST. LUCIE — Kodai Senga has an concept to lure his Japanese countrymates away from Los Angeles.
“We need to build a roof,” the Mets right-hander mentioned Tuesday at Clover Park.
The Mets have tried to recruit extra Japanese arms during the last two years, however the sunny Southland has confirmed widespread, with Kodai Senga, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki all selecting to affix the Dodgers. Senga stays the lone Japanese star in New York, however that star was dimmed final season when he solely managed 5 innings on the mound. A spring coaching shoulder harm sidelined him till July 26, however 5 1/3 innings into his season debut a calf pressure took him out once more.
“Man, those five innings were electric,” mentioned supervisor Carlos Mendoza.
Senga later made two appearances within the playoffs, one in all which was high quality, however the different was disastrous. He spent about half of his offseason doing a rehab protocol earlier than transferring to a extra regular preseason routine, with the Mets sending trainers to watch his progress. The 32-year-old lastly felt “normal” once more in January.
Now, he’s wholesome in camp and searching ahead to having the ability to contribute as soon as once more.
“I’m not worried at all,” he mentioned by means of translator Hiro Fujiwara on Tuesday at Clover Discipline. “I just need to ramp up slowly, and get your screen training healthy and get through the year healthy.”
Senga is aiming to make 30 begins, yet another than he made in 2023, his first yr in North America. He went 12-7 with a 2.98 ERA his rookie season and was named a finalist for NL rookie of the yr. With the Mets hoping to make use of a six-man rotation, Senga will as soon as once more work with an additional off day in between begins.
QUICK HITTERS
– All pitchers are wholesome, however the Mets plan to take it sluggish with right-hander Paul Blackburn and left-hander A.J. Minter. Blackburn’s season ended with a spinal fluid leak in his mid-back. The starter underwent surgical procedure to repair the freak challenge following the top of the season. Minter, a reliever who involves the Mets after spending the whole thing of his profession with the Atlanta Braves, underwent hip labrum surgical procedure final summer time.
– Blackburn is predicted to compete for the sixth spot within the rotation, together with right-handers Griffin Canning and Tylor Megill. The Mets have mentioned the thought of utilizing Megill out of the bullpen, which is the place that they had him throughout the playoffs final season. Megill hasn’t been capable of stick within the massive leagues as a starter since 2022, and the Mets have discovered that he’s higher capable of keep his velocity in shorter stints. Whereas they haven’t dominated out utilizing him in a aid function, they nonetheless view him as a starter. Megill has yet another possibility yr left.
– Proper-hander Jose Butto will proceed for use in an extended aid function. Proper-hander Max Kranick, who spent final season with Triple-A Syracuse, can also be anticipated for use in an analogous approach, although he might begin in Syracuse once more with another choice yr remaining. Butto is out of choices.
– Brett Baty will get reps at second and third base this spring. Luisangel Acuña can even work out at third base, in addition to at second and shortstop. Jett Williams, one other high infield prospect, will get work at shortstop and middle subject.Utility infielder Nick Madrigal, signed to a Main League contract, has by no means performed shortstop within the Main Leagues however the Mets plan to make use of him as a backup for shortstop Francisco Lindor.
– Infield prospect Ronny Mauricio gained’t get into any video games till mid-March. After sitting out all of 2024 with a torn ACL, the Mets wish to work him in slowly this spring. The 23-year-old is at present going by means of a working development and just lately began baseball actions once more.
