New York Mets fans are used to June swoons. Some have ended seasons, others have destroyed morale. New York is fortunate that an incredible spring has made its 3-13 start to the summer fairly inconsequential, entering Tuesday only two games out of first place.
However, the Mets' pitching has been under assault, and the staff's struggles have made it clear that reinforcements are necessary. Kodai Senga and Tylor Megill are on the 10-day injured list. Griffin Canning ruptured his Achilles against the Atlanta Braves, and they are still waiting on Sean Manaea to make his season debut.
The rotation is buckling and the bullpen hasn't been able to stop the bleeding. New York desperately needed some good news ahead of its series with the Milwaukee Brewers, and it got some on Tuesday afternoon.
Kodai Senga injury update
The best news the Mets received on Tuesday was that they wouldn't lose, as the series opener was postponed until Wednesday. Before that announcement, manager Carlos Mendoza spoke about his ace's progress.
"So, Senga faced hitters on Sunday," he said. "He had an up-and-down live BP. He's scheduled to do a bullpen tomorrow and do some PFP [pitcher's fielding practice], and then we'll see where we're at after that bullpen. But he already faced hitters on Sunday here, so that's another good step in the right direction."
Senga strained his hamstring on June 12 against the Washington Nationals. He went to cover first base as Pete Alonso's toss forced him to leap and land awkwardly, although the pitcher made a point of saying that he felt the twinge before the errant throw.
So far this season, Senga has done a masterful job of pitching himself out of trouble, sporting a 1.47 ERA despite a below-average walk rate and the lowest K/9 of his career (8.55). He's been fortunate to get good batted ball luck when he needed it most, and he hasn't been burned by the long ball, suggesting that there could be some regression upon his return.
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If he keeps outperforming his peripherals, though, the Mets will once again have an ace back in their hand. For now, they'll keep their fingers crossed that Senga proves to be ready for a rehab start.
"It's possible, but again, we'll see how he responds after the bullpen tomorrow."
Mendoza added that Megill isn't throwing yet, and is thus farther away from a return. He will have imaging done soon, but shouldn't be seen as a short-term reinforcement before the All-Star break.
Manaea will make a rehab start in Hartford on Tuesday night.
New York will enter its three-game set with Milwaukee starting Clay Holmes, Blade Tidwell, and David Peterson before the Subway Series. As the Mets' slide continues, Senga's recovery will be a welcome addition to a staff that needs him more than ever.
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