Kodai Chiga believes mechanical problems contributed at least “partially” to this spring’s injury, which is why progress is being paused until he can give birth with complete peace of mind, he said. Told.
The Mets ace has progressed from pitching north to flat field and then pitching from the mound to opposing batters, which he did twice last week.
However, after two live batting practices, he told the club that he had no intention of continuing to face batters in live BP or rehab assignments until the mechanical issue was resolved.
Those mechanical issues are “very technical issues, but to put it simply, all of my power wasn’t going to the catcher,” Chiga said Monday through interpreter Hiro Fujiwara. “I wasn’t able to deliver 100 percent to the catcher, which is very important. And when that’s happening, I’m even more… injury-prone.”
He has been sidelined since late February due to injuries to his right shoulder joint capsule.
Chiga has been playing with some adjustments this offseason and this spring, which he said “could have been a contributing factor” to the shoulder issue.
He then noticed “some differences” in the way he spoke during two live BP sessions.
“That’s when I thought we should take some time and look at this,” Chiga said before the Mets opened their series against the Phillies at Citi Field. “I don’t want to come back this season and say, ‘Oh, I need a few more days in the season where I’m not on the IL.’
“I just wanted to make sure I understood it beforehand.”
The Mets are listening to their best starter, who came over from Japan last year and posted a 2.98 ERA and received both National League Cy Young and Rookie of the Year votes.
The team’s leadership structure has changed dramatically this year, and they’re still trying to learn about pitchers who weren’t hampered by injuries last season.
Carlos Mendoza admitted that he had to follow Chiga’s own feelings and thoughts “100 percent” more than the average player.
Mendoza described Chiga as “unique” and “a different person.” Mendoza may be more willing to push his progress than other players.
To Chiga, Mendoza tries to listen more than anything.
“At the end of the day, you don’t want to put your players at risk, especially if they’re not feeling the way you think they should feel,” the Mets manager said. “We are talking to other players who are going through the rehabilitation process and everyone is different.
“This is a special case, a situation. And a special player, a special talent that you have to pay very close attention to. Every situation is different, so you have to adjust.”
Cultural differences affected the players who pitched professionally in Nippon Professional Baseball from 2012 to 2022.
Chiga said that in Japan, rehabilitation steps are “up to the players” and they are given the autonomy to decide what is best.
“If I’m doing well, I can keep moving forward,” Chiga said. “The trainers have very well-structured programs here.”
Both the Mets and Chiga hope he is healthy and returns to the mound.
Mendoza said the last time he threw a 45-pitch bullpen session was Sunday, and Chiga hopes to throw another bullpen session on Wednesday.
Chiga is not eligible to compete until May 27th, but it is now impossible for him to return this month. When asked about the schedule, Chiga said, “It’s difficult to give a clear answer.”
“It really depends on the situation,” Chiga said. “Let’s see how I feel in the next bullpen. If everything goes well, it could happen sooner or later, but really everything is up in the air.”
The Mets’ rotation is solid without Chiga, with rehabbing Tyler Megill and David Peterson offering two more interesting options, but they’re missing a true ace.
Chiga was that ace last season, and he’s trying to be that ace whenever he comes back this season.
“I didn’t think I would be able to return to 100 percent with the current system,” Chiga said. “So we’re going to take some time to go over everything and make sure everything is perfect.”
