PORT STREET LUCIE — It may take longer than expected for Kodai Chiga to start pitching again.
This Friday, Chiga will be out for three weeks after receiving a PRP injection due to tightness in his right shoulder.
However, while that date was initially targeted as a possible return to pitching for the right-handed pitcher, manager Carlos Mendoza said Chiga might take “another week or so.”
“It’s not a setback or anything, but we want to make sure he’s strong and we’re comfortable before he picks up the baseball,” Mendoza insisted.
However, it is unclear whether this means Chiga’s rehabilitation schedule will also be postponed.
Expectations for Chiga’s return to pitching always included him missing the opening game.
However, President of Baseball Operations David Stearns insisted he still expects Chiga to pitch frequently this season, although he declined to specify a date when addressing the injury earlier this spring.
In his first MLB season, Chiga started 29 games, posted a 2.98 ERA, and was also selected to the National League All-Star team. He adapted smoothly into his first MLB season following his tenure with the Nippon Professional Baseball Organization, becoming one of the Mets’ most consistent starters. The Mets were careful to monitor Chiga’s number of days until he could start and develop him into a regular rest schedule.
“All I really have to say is that I’m using my time for myself,” Chiga told reporters through an interpreter on February 25, when he returned to Clover Park after receiving PRP injections. . “I’m working on what I need to work on and trying to get out there as soon as possible. Once I get out there, I can dominate and help the team win.”
However, with the trades of Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer and the departure of Carlos Carrasco in free agency, Chiga has been thrust into a role as a mainstay in the rotation.
“Overall, he’s moving in the right direction,” Mendoza said. “We are quite satisfied with the current state of his rehabilitation process.”
Brett Batty has been removed from the Mets’ lineup as a precaution due to a mild back strain and remains day-to-day, according to the team. Mark Vientos moved to third base, and Choi Ji-man played first base against the Astros.
Luis Severino made his third start in spring training on Wednesday, pitching five scoreless innings (only three hits) in his first two games. Jake Diekman, Shintaro Fujinami and Drew Smith were expected to follow from the bullpen.
And when the Mets play the Cardinals on Thursday, Jose Butt, who will compete for the final rotation spot, will make his third start this spring after appearing in the past two as a reliever. He was scoreless in both of his first two starts.
