The next week to week and a half should reveal whether Senga Kodai can be a key player for the Mets in the postseason.
Senga has not pitched in an upright position since suffering a severe left calf strain in the team’s only game of the season on July 26.
Three weeks later, Senga was able to continue moving his arm but was unable to stand on his two feet.
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Friday he expects his 2023 ace pitcher to be able to pitch regularly without being locked in within the next week to 10 days.
The Mets are hopeful that Senga, who is on the 60-day disabled list and won’t be back until the end of September, could return at some point during the playoffs.
Stearns said he won’t know for sure until Senga is able to stand up and pitch.
The right-hander entered camp as the team’s undisputed ace, but a capsule strain in his right shoulder and some setbacks during his rehab meant he wasn’t able to make his debut until July.
He looked his best in his only game, striking out nine and allowing just two runs in 5 1/3 innings, but he stormed off the mound on a pop fly and collapsed to the turf in obvious pain.
Stearns said the Mets could not find any explanation for the calf strain other than “this is an unusual lower-body injury for a pitcher.”
