Mets’ Senga unsure on timetable; Robert Jr. sent for MRI
NEW YORK — Mets right-hander Kodai Sengasidelined with a again harm, stated Wednesday he doesn’t have a timetable to return to the mound.
Senga was added to the Mets’ rising injured listing Tuesday with lumbar backbone irritation after permitting three runs over 2⅔ innings in opposition to the Colorado Rockies on Sunday.
Center fielder Luis Robert Jr.. might quickly be part of him on IL. Manager Carlos Mendoza stated Robert, who has not performed in New York’s final two video games resulting from decrease again tightness, was scheduled to bear an MRI on Wednesday after his discomfort had not subsided.
“We gotta wait and see what the MRI says [to figure out] what’s the plan of attack,” Mendoza stated. “[Whether] we need to put him on the IL or he continues to be day to day. That’s why we’re taking a look at it.”
The Mets acquired Robert, a expertise brimming with potential, from the Chicago White Sox understanding accidents have been a priority. Various lower-body illnesses spoiled Robert’s final two seasons in Chicago after a profession yr in 2023, when he clubbed 38 dwelling runs with 20 steals and a .857 OPS in 145 video games. He mixed to bat .223 with 28 dwelling runs and a .660 OPS in 210 video games during the last two years.
As such, New York introduced Robert, 28, on slowly in spring coaching. He jumped out to a scorching begin early this season, together with delivering a walk-off dwelling run in opposition to the Pittsburgh Pirates within the second sport of the season. But he has cooled off significantly during the last three weeks and is now slashing .224/.327/.329 in 98 plate appearances.
Senga’s season adopted an analogous trajectory. The right-hander thrived in his first two outings, permitting 4 runs over 11 ⅔ innings. The subsequent three outings have been disastrous: 16 runs (15 earned) in 8⅓ innings, good for a 17.28 ERA. He pitched into the fourth inning eleven.
On Sunday, he was pulled with two outs within the third inning. He stated afterward he reported to the Mets athletic coaching workers that the again discomfort, which he had managed since spring coaching, had change into untenable. He underwent an MRI and obtained an epidural Monday.
“It started to become difficult to stand on one leg,” Senga, 33, stated via an interpreter. “There were days that I could feel it, but I was able to perform well with it. There were days that it did affect performance.
“There have been some moments that I felt nice all through that interval. That’s what made it tough for me to lift my hand and say, ‘Hey, that is actually affecting my pitching’ as a result of there have been some flashes of promising outcomes.”
Senga, 33, signed with the Mets before the 2023 season after starring in Japan. He was one of the best pitchers in the majors as a 30-year-old rookie, with a 2.98 ERA in 29 starts. But injuries and resulting issues with mechanics have soiled his last three seasons.
He was limited to one outing in 2024 after beginning the season with a shoulder injury and straining his left calf in his season debut in late July. Last season, after a dominant start to the year, he strained his right hamstring covering first base in June. He went to the injured list with a 1.47 ERA. He returned to record a 5.90 RA in nine starts before he accepted an assignment to Triple A. He didn’t return to the majors as the Mets collapsed down the stretch to miss the postseason.
“I’m a baseball participant,” Senga said. “My job is to be out on the sector and play for the workforce. And not with the ability to do that’s irritating.”