LONDON — After a rehab setback, pitcher Kodai Senga could be back on the bullpen mound within days.
Pitching coach Jeremy Heffner said the right-hander has made progress with his long-toss work and is expected to throw bullpen balls on Monday or Tuesday.
Hefner said Senga is moving in a positive direction.
Senga reported triceps tightness in late May, canceled bullpen sessions and later received a cortisone injection.
Early last month, Senga appeared to be on the verge of beginning a minor league rehab assignment, but he nixed that idea, saying he wanted to first improve his mechanics before moving forward with games.
After Senga completes his bullpen session, he will likely still need to face hitters in a controlled environment before he is sent on a rehab assignment.
Senga was sidelined early in spring training with a right shoulder injury, but the Mets initially expected him to return by early June.
At this point, the Mets may be looking at the All-Star break as their best case scenario.
According to manager Carlos Mendoza, Francisco Alvarez will return to Venezuela for family reasons and is expected to take a few more days to complete his rehabilitation assignment before returning.
Alvarez was originally scheduled to rejoin the team at the start of the Mets’ next home game on Tuesday.
Alvarez is returning from surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb.
Mendoza said Edwin Diaz is feeling good after a rehab appearance on Thursday and is scheduled to pitch Sunday for High-A Brooklyn.
The right-hander, who has been sidelined with a right shoulder injury, could return from the disabled list as soon as Tuesday.
The Mets announced that infield prospect Jett Williams underwent TFCC debridement surgery on his right wrist on Thursday in Scottsdale, Arizona.
The team said it typically takes eight to 10 weeks for players to return to playing activity after undergoing this procedure.
Williams was named the team’s Minor League Player of the Year last season.
