How Kodai Senga fared in second Mets rehab start as injury return comes into focus
Kodai Senga reached his pitch count limit before he could complete the third inning Tuesday, but kept the opposition scoreless for a second straight start to begin his minor league rehab.
In his first outing for Triple-A Syracuse, the right-hander pitched 2 ²/₃ shutout innings, allowing two hits with two walks and striking out three against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Senga was removed at 52 pitches; he was scheduled to throw 50.
Senga also had a scoreless outing last week for High-A Brooklyn, for which he threw 35 pitches over 2 ²/₃ innings in his minor league rehab debut.
Before the Mets’ 7-5 win over the Nationals at Citi Field, president of baseball operations David Stearns said the Mets don’t have a set number of rehab starts scheduled for Senga, but simply the pitcher is projected to return at some point after the All-Star break.
Manager Carlos Mendoza recently suggested that Senga could be ready to rejoin the Mets once he reached 75-80 pitches in a rehab start.
Senga has been working back from a shoulder strain that was diagnosed early in spring training.
Stearns said he is hopeful Joey Lucchesi will clear waivers and remain with the organization.
The left-hander was designated for assignment to clear roster space for reliever Phil Maton, who was acquired in a trade with the Rays for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
Lucchesi pitched to a 4.20 ERA in 15 starts this season for Syracuse.
He started once for the Mets and allowed five earned runs over 4 ²/₃ innings. Last season he pitched to a 2.89 ERA in nine appearances for the Mets.
“Joey has pitched well at times for this organization, specifically last year,” Stearns said. “Certainly our hope is we will be able to retain him, but we’ll see what happens.”
It’s unlikely Ronny Mauricio will play for the Mets this season, according to Stearns.
The infielder underwent surgery last winter for a torn anterior cruciate ligament, at which time it was indicated September would be the earliest return for Mauricio.
But Stearns’ expectation is Mauricio won’t be back until next season.
The Mets held a moment of silence and played a tribute video in remembrance of team photographer Marc Levine, who died last week.
Levine spent 35 years in his position and photographed more than 2,000 Mets players during that stretch, according to the team.