Port St. Lucy – Kodaisenga approached a mainstay near the top of Sunday's Mets rotation when he threw 50 pitches into the backfield at Clover Park.
He faced minor league batsmen and a slight decline in velocity. Assistant pitching coach Desi Dolshell said it would be expected in that type of environment.
After coaching with the Yankees system for the past five years, Druschel, including the last three major league staff, is still able to learn about right-handedness.
However, he has already acquired one aspect of Senga's game, which has dominated Senga's time with the Mets.
“He's a perfectionist with everything,” Dorchel said. “It's probably one of his biggest assets and one of his biggest weaknesses. He wants everything to be perfect.”
It shows his effectiveness against the mound, and is sometimes evident when he misses it.
After being watched by the sidelines with tension in the posterior hair follicles on his shoulder last spring, Senga's absence was extended because he was not used to his mechanics when he first returned.
Druschel was pleased to see Senga moving away on Sunday.
He pitched another positive sign, four innings, and also threw another weapon into his arsenal to make Senga stronger against the right-handed.
“I think his body feels good,” Dorchel said. “Now, it's 'Can he sync the mechanic in a comfortable place for them?”
Both Senga and Druschel seemed confident that this would happen.
However, there is no doubt that Senga is more detailed about that part of his game than most pitchers.
And Druschel, like the rest of the Mets, is thinking about how to make the most of the 32-year-old, who was limited to 5¹/₃ innings during last year's regular season.
He returned for the playoffs, but had little effect on the three outings.
Dolshell insisted he didn't care about Senga's sloppy methods.
“I enjoy perfectionism. “I think that's the best pitchers. They want to be perfect. They have that attribute. It can help and hurt.”
That's what led to Senga being so effective like a rookie, when he exceeded expectations and pitched 2.98 ERA in 166¹/₃ innings.
However, the Mets will need more production than they got in 2024.
If this spring is any sign, Senga is heading for another solid season.
“It's fun,” Dolchel said Senga is a perfectionist. “He obviously not only pitches at this level, but he is working hard to get home. [in Japan]too. What he did is impressive. ”
