Kodai Senga has yet to pitch an inning for the Mets this season, but it’s unclear when that will change as the right-hander is dealing with nerve inflammation that recently led to him receiving a cortisone shot.
The numerous issues and setbacks Senga has encountered since being suspended with a shoulder injury during spring training basically sums up his entire season in Queens.
Then on Monday, before the Mets’ loss to the Dodgers, the team’s ace acknowledged he was “very disappointed” about not being able to return to the mound, seemingly suggesting he wasn’t convinced with some aspects of his rehab.
“The most important thing is that I know my body well and I know I could have done better,” Senga said through a translator. “I’m not that surprised.” [about] Where I am now, I think I’ve been able to fix a few things.”
When asked what that means, Senga continued, “I think it just means that you have to meet each standard to get to 100 percent. You have to be 100 percent in each standard to get to the ultimate 100 percent.”
Asked if they had progressed to the new standard before reaching 100 percent in the previous step, Senga replied, “Not necessarily.”
“It’s not all down to one thing,” Senga said of his arm problems, which have included triceps pain, neuritis and a break from pitching due to concerns about his pitching motion. “But I think I just have to keep moving forward and overcome each challenge and eventually get back on the mound.”
Carlos Mendoza dismissed the idea that Senga might have been rushed at any point on his return.
“I don’t think there are any disagreements,” Mendoza said of his rehab plan. “We have had discussions. We laid out a plan when he first went down in spring training and we all bought into it. We’ve heard some of his suggestions. Once he was able to pitch again and felt good, then mechanics, then triceps. Disagreements? No. He’s a unique case, and he wants to play and he just hasn’t been able to get over that barrier.”
Mendoza said Senga’s comments were motivated by frustration.
“I think we have a guy that’s pretty frustrated that he’s not contributing,” Mendoza said. “I know how much he wants to go out there and contribute, but right now he’s not capable of doing that.”
Both Senga and Mendoza declined to say when the 31-year-old might return.
Tuesday will mark the fifth day since he received the cortisone shot, and Mendoza is hopeful that once Senga is no longer experiencing discomfort he could pick up a ball and start throwing practice as early as Wednesday.
Still, Senga will have plenty of time to bounce back.
“I just want to get back out there again,” Senga said. “I’m at the stadium right now and seeing everyone struggling just makes me really want to get back and pitch for the team.”
“Obviously it hasn’t been ideal” this season, Senga said.
“What’s for sure is I’m itching to get back,” Senga said. “I really want to get back and I’m working hard to get there, but at the same time, I can’t afford to rush it.”
