The Mets aren’t classifying Kodai Senga’s situation as a setback, but the ace’s progress appears to have stalled during his rehabilitation.
Chiga prepared to face batters in live batting practice settings for the first time on April 29 and again last Sunday, the final step before the pitcher begins his rehab assignment. There are many cases.
However, manager Carlos Mendoza said that a third live BP or minor league action is not yet scheduled for Senga as he is still dealing with mechanical issues.
Chiga was scheduled to pitch a bullpen session on Friday and play catch on Saturday, but Mendoza said afterward that the Mets would figure out the next step.
“Either we put him on a live blood pressure setting or [before] He’s going to go down and obviously start facing real competition in the minor leagues,” Mendoza said before the Mets’ 4-1 loss to the Braves at Citi Field on Saturday. “I think this guy knows himself better than anyone else. I think we just have to keep playing slowly and give him the time he needs.
“If he needs two more days before his next bullpen pitch, so be it.”
Senga has been out of action since late February due to a torn muscle in his right shoulder joint, and will be removed from the 60-day disabled list until May 27th.
It’s clear he won’t be ready by the time he’s eligible, but the Mets’ rotation was strong even without their ace.
Mendoza doesn’t want “any type of setback” with the 31-year-old, who has graduated from North Row pitching, mound work and facing batters and could be limited to bullpen practice going forward. No, he said.
“I’m learning the character here,” Mendoza said. “He’s very particular about how he works and his mechanics and how the ball comes out of his hands. And I feel like he’s still looking for that.”
Mendoza said that for health reasons, the Mets would not want Chiga to face hitters without having confidence in his pitching.
“Right now, if there’s something wrong with his mechanics, you’re putting yourself at risk, especially when you try to spit it all out,” Mendoza said. “If you feel like you’re open, your back is open, your arms aren’t keeping up, that puts you at risk.”
Mets stadium operations were ready for Christian Scott’s Queens debut. He pitched six innings, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks, with eight strikeouts.
A strikeout by the rookie was punctuated by the words “Great Scott!” Scoreboard graphics inspired by Back to the Future.
David Peterson, who pitched 3²/₃ shutout innings for Low-A St. Lucie on Wednesday, will next pitch at Double-A Binghamton on Tuesday.
“He’s getting close to it,” Mendoza said of Peterson, who has grown to 63 pitches after offseason hip surgery.
Thomas Nido has grabbed Scott and started six of the Mets’ last seven games.
Omar Narváez started last Sunday against the Rays at Tropicana Field, but struggled to stop runners and was removed in the sixth inning.
He hadn’t played since then until Saturday, when Nido came off the bench in the ninth inning after being pinch-hit in the eighth inning.
