PORT STA LUCY — Kodai Senga worked on his mechanic on Friday night and tried to prepare himself to make his first turn in the Mets rotation after Clay Holmes was nominated as the first day starter earlier in the day.
The famous Finicky Senga worked four innings against St. Louis on his latest Grapefruitreug outing at Clover Park with a 53-pitch start, allowing seven hits and one pair of runs.
More importantly, he came out of the outings, something that didn't happen frequently a year ago.
“We know what he means for this team and this rotation,” said Mets manager Carlos Mendoza. “Everyone saw it in 2023. That's what we're looking for. If he's healthy, he's an ace. That's what we need. Now he's heading in the right direction.”
Last spring, Senga had already dealt with shoulder tension that had derailed the first half.
Mendoza is looking at another Senga this time.
“What I couldn't see last year was a smile on his face [and] Delight,” Mendoza said. “Last year he was down early in camp and rehabilitation. It's good to see how he's carrying himself right now.”
Senga started the regular season one year ago due to shoulder injuries and calf tension. There are a few mechanical issues mixed in there.
Before the game, Mendoza said the team was not mapped when Senga made its first start of the year.
On Friday, Senga said he didn't think much about when his first start would take place.
“The most important thing is to stay healthy throughout the season,” Senga said through an interpreter. “If you pitch your first game or another game, it's not a difference.”
On Friday, Senga added that he was trying “something different” on the mound. This uses a mix of fastball exchanges than during the regular season.
“I have a greater understanding of where my body is and what I can do at this point and what I can do,” Senga said. “I've had the next two weeks to fix those things.”
The right-hander also debuted what he called “miracle ball” on Friday night. A 63 mph pitch to St. Louis catcher Joherpozo, which was fouled by Pozo.
Senga then joked about the pitch, but he was reluctant to talk a lot about otherwise funky products – considered a curveball on Statcast – and said he was hesitant to throw that funky pitch in the real game.
“It's a slower pitch, if it hits, I regret it,” Senga said.
