PHILADELPHIA — Manager Jose Quintana is a big supporter of Kodai Senga returning to the pitching staff after recovering from a strained left calf that has sidelined him since July.
And the left-hander said Sunday that he's willing to pitch in relief if necessary to make space for Senga.
“I'm focused on my next start, but I think Senga can help us a lot when he comes back, so I'm going to do whatever I can,” Quintana said before the Mets' 2-1 loss to Philadelphia at Citizens Bank Park. “It's not a big deal. Right now it's not about me. It's about the team. If it helps the team, I'm motivated.”
Team president of operations David Stearns said Friday he was “optimistic” that Senga will return.
The right-hander is eligible to go on the disabled list on Sept. 25.
Stearns added that if Senga is able to pitch, the team will “probably” use him as a starter because that's what he's used to doing.
Senga has been able to keep his arm moving while recovering from a lower-body injury, but he won't be able to recover to the length of a regular starter and additional relief may be needed if he is to appear as a starter.
The last time Quintana pitched out of the bullpen was in 2021.
The left-hander has been inconsistent this season but has been effective in his last four starts.
During that time, he has allowed just one run in 25 innings and is scheduled to start against Washington on Wednesday at Citi Field.
“It's a little different than pitching in the bullpen because the game is faster and you have to be ready,” Quintana said. “I've been in similar situations before. Now I want to win, I don't care how.”
Starling Marte was sidelined with a left forearm injury sustained in Saturday's loss.
X-rays on Saturday showed no abnormalities, but Marte did not play in Sunday's game.
Manager Carlos Mendoza said Marte couldn't serve as a pinch hitter, but that he could have been used as a pinch runner or defensive replacement.
J.D. Martinez had two more strong hits on Sunday but is hitless in his final 16 at-bats and his OPS is .749, his lowest since late May.
But after DH was robbed of a home run on Saturday and then hit another ball into the fence in the seventh inning on Sunday at Citizens Bank Park, Mendoza isn't worried.
“His at-bats have been really good,” the manager said.
Mark Vientos pitched Sunday with a 1.016 OPS against lefties, third-best in the National League.
But Philadelphia left-hander Christopher Sanchez struck out Vientos three times.
He struck out for the fourth time against right-hander Orion Kerkering in the eighth inning of a 2-1 loss.
“He had a pretty good at-bat,” Mendoza said of the third baseman, “making him chase and forcing some tough at-bats to the right side. [in Kerkering] He came out of the bullpen.”
Francisco Lindor, Edwin Diaz and bullpen coach Jose Rosado all wore the number 21 jersey in honor of Roberto Clemente Day.
