Kodai Senga’s Injury Update and Progress
Last year taught me not to look too closely at how quickly Kodai Senga might return from injury.
Still, there were positive signs on Monday. Senga stepped on the mound for the first time since straining his right hamstring during his start on June 12th.
The right-handed pitcher faced significant challenges last year, appearing in just one regular season game due to shoulder and triceps issues. However, he seemed optimistic on Monday, saying he felt “great” before hitting the bullpen again.
It looks like Senga has managed to keep throwing after this latest setback, which is a good indication for Mets fans that he won’t be sidelined for long, unlike last year.
“Right now, I’m not worried at all,” Senga remarked when asked about his health concerns. “I just need to stay focused.” It’s interesting how much of this game is mental, isn’t it?
He stressed that open communication with his teammates is crucial. “Talking is very important,” Senga said. “We evaluate things daily. Some days I push hard while others may take a step back.” It’s that kind of dialogue that can really make or break a team.
Senga mentioned he had a moment covering the base but doesn’t fully recall what led to his hamstring issue. “It hurt in the general area when I landed,” he noted. It’s funny how small moments can cause such big problems, isn’t it?
The priority now is getting back on a schedule, especially since Tyler Megill recently suffered an elbow sprain, leaving a gap in their rotation until Frankie Montas is set to make his first start of the season after dealing with his own injury.
Senga added that before any rehabilitation assignments can start, he needs to be able to run at full speed. It’s all about the little steps, I guess.
Carlos Mendoza has witnessed the struggles Senga faced with his health last season and expressed hope regarding his current progress. “The good thing is he kept throwing even right after his injury,” the manager mentioned. That’s an encouraging sign.
Before this season, Senga aimed for a lofty goal of pitching 162 innings. Given that he’s only logged 73²/₃ innings so far, that number might feel a bit out of reach. But Senga commented, “It’s tougher, but it might still be achievable, depending on how I perform later on.” It’s all about taking it one day at a time.
