Mets' Kodai Senga to Adjust Mechanics amid Shoulder Injury; Set for Bullpen Session

New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga gave an update on his rehab from a moderate posterior capsule strain in his right shoulder that put him on the 60-day injured list.

Senga told reporters on Monday that he adjusted his pitching mechanics in order to improve his recovery.

The 31-year-old also revealed that he'll throw a bullpen session on Wednesday, which could speed up his return timeline if everything goes well.

Senga is not eligible to return from the injured list until May 27.

Senga's shoulder issues have prevented him from making an appearance in 2024 and building upon his promising rookie season in 2023. In 29 starts, he finished with a 12-7 record while accumulating a 2.98 ERA to go along with 202 strikeouts in 166.1 innings of work.

He made the National League All-Star roster and finished No. 7 in NL Cy Young Award voting.

While there isn't an exact timeline for his return to the team, Wednesday's bullpen session could provide a clearer picture regarding a potential date for his 2024 debut.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza told the media on Sunday that Senga "feels fine" despite his decision to overhaul his mechanics.

"He said he feels fine [and] his arm feels good," Mendoza said, per Dan Martin of the New York Post. "He keeps saying he's not feeling his mechanics are there and doesn't want to push it [until] he finds that rhythm."

Despite the Mets' overall 19-20 record, starting pitching has not been one of the team's largest issues. Free-agent acquisitions Luis Severino and Sean Manaea have a 3.00 ERA and a 3.31 ERA, respectively.

Right-hander José Buttó has also started the 2024 season strong, posting a 3.00 ERA and recording 34 strikeouts in his six starts.

While New York's rotation has held up well in the absence of Senga, his return should still provide a spark to the rest of the team and help them compete for a postseason spot.