The Mets are not categorizing Kodai Senga’s situation as a setback, but the rehabbing ace’s progress appears to have been paused.
Senga built up to facing hitters in a live batting-practice setting, first on April 29 and again last Sunday, which often is the last step before a pitcher begins a rehab assignment.
A third live BP or a stint in the minor leagues is not yet scheduled, though, manager Carlos Mendoza said, because Senga is still working through mechanical issues.
Senga threw a bullpen session Friday and was set to play catch Saturday, after which Mendoza said the Mets would figure out the next step.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s got to throw a couple more bullpens before we either put him in a live BP setting or [before] he’s going to go down and start facing real competition obviously in the minor leagues,” Mendoza said before the Mets lost, 4-1, to the Braves at Citi Field on Saturday. “I do feel like this is a guy that knows himself better than anybody. I think we just got to continue to play it slow and give him the time he needs.
“If he needs two extra days before he throws another bullpen, so be it.”
Senga was shut down in late February with a right shoulder capsule strain and is not eligible to be activated from the 60-day injured list until May 27.
It has become apparent that he will not be ready when eligible, but the Mets’ rotation has performed well without its ace.
Mendoza said he doesn’t want “any type of setback” with the 31-year-old, who graduated from no-throw to throwing on flat ground to mound work and then to face hitters, and now may be limited to bullpen sessions.
“I’m kind of learning the person here,” Mendoza said. “He’s very meticulous in how he goes about his business and his mechanics and the way the ball’s coming out of his hand. And I do feel like he’s still searching for that.”
The Mets would not want Senga to face hitters without him feeling confident with his delivery, Mendoza said, for health reasons.
“If something’s off with his mechanics now, you’re putting yourself at risk, especially when you try to let it all out,” Mendoza said. “If you don’t feel like you’re opening up or your back side or your arm is not catching up — it puts you at risk.”
Mets stadium operations were ready for Christian Scott’s Queens debut, in which he went six innings and gave up three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out eight.
Strikeouts by the rookie were punctuated by “Great Scott!” graphics on the scoreboard, inspired by “Back to the Future.”
David Peterson, who pitched 3 ²/₃ shutout innings with Low-A St. Lucie on Wednesday, next will pitch Tuesday with Double-A Binghamton.
“He’s getting close,” Mendoza said of Peterson, who is built up to 63 pitches after offseason hip surgery.
Tomas Nido caught Scott and has started six of the Mets’ past seven games.
Omar Narvaez started last Sunday against the Rays at Tropicana Field, struggled to hold base runners and was pulled in the sixth inning.
He hadn’t played since until subbing in for the ninth inning Saturday, after Nido was pulled for a pinch hitter in the eighth.