As the regular season nears its conclusion on September 29, a glimmer of hope shines for Mets fans: Kodai Senga is eyeing a comeback. The 31-year-old pitcher has endured a challenging season, plagued by multiple injuries. Yet, there's cautious optimism about his return to the mound.
Senga’s Injury-Plagued Season
Senga's 2023 campaign has barely gotten off the ground. Limited to just a single major-league appearance, he’s faced a series of physical setbacks. Initially, a shoulder capsule strain put him on the sidelines until July 26. Just as he made his way back, another setback occurred—a high-grade calf strain rearing its head during his first start.
These injuries have significantly impacted Senga's performance this year, but he estimates his recovery is now between 70% and 80%. Mets president of baseball operations, David Stearns, shared his confidence: "If all continues to progress as it is right now, we should see him."
A Glorious 2022 Season
This year’s setbacks are a stark contrast to Senga’s stellar performance last season. In 2022, he posted a commendable 2.98 ERA across 29 starts and even earned a spot in the All-Star Game. His strikeout-to-walk ratio stood at an impressive 2.62, and he recorded an estimated 4.5 Wins Above Replacement according to Baseball Reference. These achievements didn’t go unnoticed; Senga finished second in the Rookie of the Year Award voting and seventh in Cy Young Award voting.
Mets' Rotation Under Strain
Senga’s absence has certainly been felt in the Mets' starting rotation, which has been under tremendous strain this season. Alongside Senga's injuries, the team is also without Paul Blackburn and Christian Scott. Scott, in particular, has faced a severe setback, requiring season-ending elbow surgery.
This string of absences has forced the Mets to lean heavily on their bullpen and less experienced starters. Despite these challenges, the Mets have managed to stay competitive and are currently tied with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the second wild-card spot.
Crucial Series Ahead
With a marginal two-game lead over the Atlanta Braves, the upcoming three-game series against the Braves is pivotal. The outcome of this series could determine the season series tiebreaker and, ultimately, which team advances to the playoffs. The pressure is undoubtedly mounting, and the return of a player of Senga's caliber could provide the necessary boost the Mets need during this critical stretch.
Cautious Optimism
There’s an air of cautious optimism surrounding Senga’s potential return. Having faced a season filled with challenges, both for him personally and for the team, his comeback could be a turning point. With the clock ticking towards the end of the regular season, every game and every available player becomes crucial.
As September 29 approaches, all eyes will be on Senga and his recovery progress. His return offers not just a glimmer of hope but a potential game-changer that could very well tip the scales in the Mets’ favor as they push for a playoff spot.