Kodai Senga will play one game before the minor league season ends this weekend and then be evaluated for a possible return to the Mets.
The right-hander is scheduled to throw one or two innings (up to 35 pitches) at Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday in his first and only rehab start since returning from a left calf injury.
Senga could return to the Mets on Friday against Milwaukee if he doesn't get injured, but his role has yet to be determined. Most likely, he will be in the starting rotation.
“He has a special routine and is very meticulous in everything he does. He's going to have a big say in this decision,” manager Carlos Mendoza said before the Mets' brutal 12-2 loss to the Phillies on Friday.
“If he can go through his normal routine as an opener and throw 35 to 40 pitches, then we'll consider it, but if we feel he's ready and able to go in the bullpen, then we'll have a discussion about that.”
Senga has only appeared once for the Mets this season, on July 26 when he suffered a calf injury in his return from shoulder and triceps injuries that had sidelined him since spring training.
“We're going to make sure we're confident he's available before we put him in a major league game,” president of baseball operations David Stearns said. “We'll see how it goes.” [Saturday] And when he gets back here … we'll decide whether that's next weekend in Milwaukee or later. It's always a fluid situation.”
Stearns is encouraged by the performances that pitchers Drew Gilbert and Jett Williams have shown for the Mets in recent weeks in the minor leagues after missing most of the season with injuries.
“You never want a prospect to miss out on important playing time, important development time. They both had some pretty nasty injuries, but they both worked really hard to get back,” Stearns said. “I think this will be a positive for them heading into the offseason.”
