PHILADELPHIA — Mets officials have begun to receive a positive vibe about Kodai Senga’s rehab.
The right-hander had backed off his throwing progression from a shoulder strain in the last week to focus on mechanics, but president of baseball operations David Stearns said Thursday that Senga is feeling better about the situation following a recent bullpen session and trending toward a minor league rehab assignment.
“I think we’ve had a good bullpen where he felt he was making some strides,” Stearns said before the Mets beat the Phillies, 6-5, in 11 innings at Citizens Bank Park. “I don’t know exactly when we’ll get him out on a rehab assignment — that’s the next big step here — but I think we all feel better about it, maybe here than we did five or six days ago.”
Senga this week said he wanted to focus on mechanics before pitching in minor league games because he believes a change in his delivery at least partially led to the shoulder strain that shut him down early in spring training.“I think Step 1 is let’s get him to a point where he feels comfortable mechanically, and I think we took a real positive step forward in that direction,” Stearns said.
Senga will need about a month of buildup in the minor leagues, once he begins his rehab assignment, before he can join the Mets’ rotation.
Team owner Steve Cohen told SNY he still believes in the Mets for this season, a day after responding to a tweet from a fan who wondered about blowing up the roster.
Cohen responded to the fan: “All in the future, not much we can do before the trade deadline.
The tweet was soon deleted.
But Cohen told the team’s TV rights holder he hasn’t given up on the season.
“I believe in this team,” Cohen told the outlet. “I believe in the back of the baseball card. It’s way too early to speculate on anything. It’s May 16. I expect to make the playoffs. I know the fan base is frustrated, but it’s still early. We’re still very capable of making the playoffs…. I fully expect to make the playoffs.”
Brandon Nimmo was scratched from the starting lineup with a stomach bug.
Tyrone Taylor replaced Nimmo in the leadoff spot and DJ Stewart started in left field.
Joey Lucchesi was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse following his Wednesday start, and the Mets recalled lefty reliever Josh Walker.
Tylor Megill’s return to the starting rotation is scheduled for Monday in Cleveland.
The right-hander was placed on the injured list with a right shoulder strain following his first start of the season March 31.
Drew Smith played catch and was feeling better after reporting discomfort behind his right shoulder earlier in the week, according to manager Carlos Mendoza.
The right-hander will throw a bullpen Monday, but likely need at least one minor league rehab appearance before he’s considered for activation.