Senga Kodai spent most of last season thriving on a struggling team that will now find itself in postseason contention.
The Mets right-hander threw bullpen sessions at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday and then said he’ll be ready for his first start of the season Friday against the Braves at Citi Field.
“The team is doing really well and I want to be part of the team and continue to contribute and lead the team towards the playoffs,” Senga said through a translator.
Senga, who began the season on the disabled list after being diagnosed with right shoulder tightness during spring training, had a tough final tune-up at Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday but said he wasn’t worried about the three innings in which he threw 79 pitches and allowed five earned runs.
“I was definitely working towards something, trying to figure out what I could and couldn’t do at that point,” Senga said, “but I was really trying to understand myself, and I think it was very productive.”
Senga finished second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting last season after posting a 2.98 ERA with 202 strikeouts in 166 1/3 innings in 29 starts.
“It was very tough both mentally and physically,” Senga said of his rehabilitation, “but now I’m ready and I want to release all my frustrations and perform well in the second half.”
The Mets signed former Gold Glove outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Syracuse.
Bradley played for the Brewers under Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns.
Bradley, 34, spent this season playing for the independent Long Island Ducks.
“Another addition,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “I’ve seen him play really well at this level. Credit to him for playing in an independent league and staying in the game and adjusting. We know he can defend.”
Mendoza said Sean Reed-Foley will face batters in live batting practice on Monday and will play in a minor league rehab game with Single-A Brooklyn on Thursday.
The right-hander had been rehabbing a right shoulder injury for the past month.
Reid Garrett said he has started pitching and could be on the mound as soon as this weekend.
Garrett is currently rehabbing from right elbow inflammation.
The Mets recalled left-handed relief pitcher Alex Young from Syracuse to replace Christian Scott.
Scott was placed on the IL with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.
