IT’S ALL SO TIRING
Year after Met season was blown up by pitching injuries, Senga misses spring workout with ‘arm fatigue’
PORT ST. LUCIE — Kodai Senga may have the Mets’ first injury of spring training. Senga skipped Wednesday’s workout at Clover Park after complaining of “arm fatigue.” The Mets’ ace spent the afternoon with the trainers and manager Carlos Mendoza did not have any other information after the workout.
“After his side session yesterday he came in experiencing some arm fatigue,” Mendoza said. “So he stayed inside and we’re taking a look at it.”
Senga was with the trainers after practice and was unable to speak with the media. It’s not yet known whether he will undergo imaging on his arm. Arm fatigue could be indicative of a more severe injury, or it could be exactly that — fatigue. Senga has been on the field throwing in some capacity nearly every day since camp opened. He has been playing catch with his translator, Hiro Fujiwara, and it’s entirely possible that his arm was overworked.
However, losing Senga for a prolonged amount of time would be a huge blow to the Mets. The club rebuilt its pitching staff around Senga, opting to stack up depth starters instead of acquiring another ace. The Mets have typically favored a two-ace staff, but with a new architect in charge in David Stearns and a desire to get underneath the luxury tax threshold within the next few years, the Mets brought in pitchers who were willing to take short-term deals. They signed right-hander Luis Severino (one year) and left-hander Sean Manaea (two years with an opt-out after 2024), and traded for right-hander Adrian Houser, who is in his walk year.
The Mets also have right-handers Jose Butto and Tylor Megill and left-hander Joey Lucchesi who are vying for rotation spots, but none pack the same punch as Senga, who went 12-7 with a 2.98 GPA in 29 starts last season, his first in North America.
When asked about his goals last week, the Japanese hurler said he wanted to pitch more effectively on the road, cut down on his walks and stay healthy.
“I just want to get to the season,” Senga said when pitchers and catchers reported a week ago. “Get through spring training first, get through the first two months healthy and head into the season.”
GUEST INSTRUCTORS
The Mets plan to have some former franchise greats in uniform during camp, including Edgardo Alfonso, Darryl Strawberry and Carlos Beltran, who is currently a special assistant in the front office.
Mendoza has a prior relationship with Beltran from his days with the Yankees. He’s looking forward to having Beltran work with the hitters, some of whom he saw on his development trips last season to Syracuse and Binghamton.
“I learned a lot from him,” Mendoza said. “He’s a smart guy and his career speaks for itself. I’m excited to have him and have those conversations with him.”
David Wright, who was not in uniform this week in Port St. Lucie, concluded his two-day spring training trip Wednesday.
LINED UP
The Mets announced Megill as the starter for their Grapefruit League opener on Saturday against the St. Louis Cardinals. Right-handers Butto and Max Kranick are also expected to pitch in the first few Grapefruit League games. Sunday’s contest, which will also take place at Clover Park, is against the Houston Astros and the Mets will play their first road game of the spring slate Monday in West Palm Beach against the Washington Nationals.