New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga (calf) threw roughly 25 pitches during a bullpen session on Wednesday with noticeably increased intensity. Senga said recently that he's shifting his focus from his calf rehab to getting his arm back in shape, and this bullpen was a clear step in that direction. It's good news for the Mets as they try to secure the final wild-card spot in the National League down the stretch. However, with the 31-year-old Japanese hurler only making one start this year due to calf and shoulder injuries, it's more likely that he'll return in a relief role than in a starting role for the Mets near the end of September. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues still competing for a title should have already dumped Senga for healthier options.

New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga (calf), who has pitched in just one game in 2024 due to shoulder and calf injuries, said on Monday that he's open to the idea of coming out of the bullpen in a relief role in late September and October if he's healthy enough to do so. It's more of a theoretical idea more than anything right now. Senga is eligible to come off the injured list on Sept. 26 and must ramp up with bullpen sessions before facing live hitters and potentially going on a minor-league rehab assignment. The good news is he's trending well enough that manager Carlos Mendoza considers it possible for Senga to return from the IL when he's eligible. Senga said he should start throwing bullpens "very soon," and at that point the Mets will have a better idea of his timetable. Obviously, fantasy managers can move on from Senga in single-year leagues since he won't be able to make any more starts this year.

New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga (calf) is playing catch from 90 feet and is progressing well, according to Mets manager Carlos Mendoza. Though it's unlikely Senga will pitch again this season, Mendoza noted that the Japanese star is playing catch "like normal" and that it's a good sign for both him and the team. The 31-year-old only pitched in one game for the Mets this season after dealing with a shoulder strain for the entire first half of the year before injuring his calf in his only start in 2024. While the Mets are fighting for a wild-card spot (3.5 games back) it shouldn't be expected that the Mets will rush him back. Should Senga return in 2024, it'd likely be during the playoffs. Fantasy managers that need starting pitching help should instead pivot to David Peterson, whose 2.83 ERA will be a great addition to any fantasy roster.

The New York Mets believe there's a chance that starting pitcher Kodai Senga (calf) could pitch in one of the final five games of the regular season against the Atlanta Braves or Milwaukee Brewers. Senga, who is on the 60-day injured list and was all but ruled out for the remainder of the regular season after suffering a high-grade calf strain, is eligible to come off the IL on Sept. 25. The hope until now had been that Senga could possibly make it back for the postseason, should the Mets get there. While having him available to start one of the final five games of the regular season could be enormous for New York's wild-card push, it's not going to make a significant difference for fantasy managers. Last Friday, president of baseball operations David Stearns said that Senga could start a formal throwing program within the next week to 10 days.

New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga (calf) was moved to the 60-day injured list on Sunday to make room for newly-acquired outfielder Jesse Winker, according to Tim Healey of Newsday. Senga made his season debut on Friday, July 26, after missing the entire first half due to shoulder and triceps injuries. The right-hander looked quite sharp as he logged five innings of two-run ball and tallied nine punchouts. Unfortunately, he left the game early due to a calf injury and was eventually ruled out for the remainder of the regular season on Saturday. Senga could still return in the postseason, but as of now, that seems unlikely, given the extent of his calf strain. Tylor Megill should have a strong chance to stay in the rotation for the remainder of the second half as a result.

New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga (calf) will remain sidelined for the remainder of the regular season, according to Jorge Castillo of ESPN. New York Mets skipper Carlos Mendoza told the media on Saturday that "it's pretty fair to say" that Senga is done the "regular season." The 31-year-old made his 2024 season debut on Friday evening and looked quite sharp against the Atlanta Braves as he tossed 5 innings of two-run ball, tallying nine punchouts. However, he left the game early due to a calf strain that caused him to hit the 15-day IL earlier on Saturday. While Senga will sit out of the remainder of the regular season, he could push for a playoff return given that the Mets are currently in the Wild Card picture. Tylor Megill was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse earlier on Saturday and will likely remain in the starting rotation going forward.

New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga (calf) was placed on the 15-day injured list on Saturday, July 27, with a left calf strain. The 31-year-old was sidelined for the first four months of the 2024 season due to a shoulder and triceps injury and now will return to the IL after making his first start of the season. On Friday, Senga looked sharp as he logged five innings of two-run ball with nine punchouts. Unfortunately, he left the game early in the sixth inning due to a calf injury. In a corresponding move, the Mets recalled right-handed pitcher Tylor Megill from Triple-A Syracuse. Megill should be expected to rejoin the starting rotation for the time being. Senga should remain stashed on your injured reserve as he could return rather quickly depending on the extent of the injury. Megill could be worth a speculative add in deeper NL-only formats as he posted a modest 5.08 ERA and 1.44 WHIP across eight starts earlier this summer.

In his first start of the 2024 season on Friday night against the division-rival Atlanta Braves, New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga (calf) was looking good before straining his left calf. The Mets won't know more about the severity of Senga's injury until he receives an MRI exam on Saturday, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. The team is confident it's just a strain, though, and not something more serious. "Hopefully it's not too serious," Mendoza said, "but they can be tricky." Before hurting his calf, the 31-year-old gave up two earned runs on two hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out nine in 5 1/3 innings to pick up his first win of the year. Even though it's just a strain, fantasy managers should probably prepare for Senga to at least miss his next scheduled start. Check back later on Saturday for more clarity on the right-hander's calf injury.

New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga (calf) was able to walk off under his own power but suffered a left-calf strain in the top of the sixth inning in Friday night's game against the Atlanta Braves. Senga, in his season debut after recovering from a shoulder injury, was running off the mound to get out of the way during an infield pop-up and hit the ground after tweaking his calf. He was down on the field for about a minute before walking off under his own power. The right-hander had been dealing prior to the injury, striking out nine Braves in five innings and giving up just two runs prior to the injury. Any time missed would be unfortunate for the 31-year-old after missing over half the season. Given the nature of the injury, fantasy managers should brace for more missed time from Senga and look towards other options in the Mets rotation, such as left-handed starter David Peterson.UPDATE: The Mets won't know the severity of Senga's calf strain until he gets an MRI exam on Saturday, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. The team is confident it's just a strain, though, and not a more serious injury.

New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga (shoulder, triceps) will return from the 60-day injured list to make his season debut this Friday against the division-rival Atlanta Braves. Senga has been out all season after suffering a right-shoulder injury in spring training and then having a setback during his recovery with a triceps ailment. The 31-year-old Japanese hurler is finally good to go, though, and is hoping to go five innings or 85 pitches in his 2024 debut to kick off the weekend. Although the Braves are actually a solid matchup now for pitchers in fantasy, Senga will be more of a risk in his first big-league start of the season. He was the Mets' ace in his first year in MLB last year, though, and could be a difference-maker down the stretch for fantasy pitching staffs as long as he's healthy.

New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga (shoulder, triceps) remains on track to make his 2024 debut on Friday against the division-rival Atlanta Braves, assuming he feels fine in the coming days after his last minor-league rehab start, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. Senga has spent the whole season on the injured list due to shoulder and triceps issues. Pitching coach Jeremy Hefner suggested Senga would be able to throw around five innings and 85 pitches in his first start for the Mets. New York is sticking with the Japanese hurler this week despite his poor performance on Saturday with Triple-A Syracuse in his final rehab start, when he allowed five runs in three-plus innings (79 pitches). Two rival evaluators said he simply appeared less engaged than usual. Senga needs to be rostered in all fantasy leagues, although he'll be pretty risky in starting lineups in his first MLB start of the year on Friday.

After his final minor-league rehab start at Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday, New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga (shoulder, triceps) told the media, "I feel good, my body feels good, and that's really important." Senga allowed five runs on eight hits while walking three and striking out just one in three-plus innings in his final rehab start this weekend and said his forkball wasn't good and he was trying out some different things. It wasn't the greatest final rehab outing for the Japanese hurler, but the only thing that really matters for the Mets and fantasy managers is that Senga is healthy. The 31-year-old is now expected to be activated from the 60-day injured list to make his season debut against the division-rival Atlanta Braves next week. While Senga could have his innings limited somewhat in his 2024 debut, he needs to be rostered in all fantasy formats.

New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga (shoulder, triceps) will make his final minor-league rehab start on Saturday for Triple-A Syracuse with a goal of throwing 85 pitches. After that, Senga will line up to make his 2024 debut for the Mets in the series against the Atlanta Braves, which begins next Thursday. The 31-year-old Japanese hurler has been on the 60-day injured list all year due to a shoulder injury he suffered in spring training, and then he had a setback along the way with a triceps issue. He was able to throw 4 2/3 innings and 67 pitches in his last rehab start on Sunday and will build his pitch count even further in his final minor-league tune-up this weekend. Fantasy managers that have been stashing Senga all year long will finally be able to use him next week against the light-hitting Braves.

New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga (shoulder, triceps) is expected to make another minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Syracuse this weekend. Barring a setback, Senga's rehab start this weekend is expected to be his last before he's reinstated from the 60-day injured list to make his 2024 debut in the major leagues. The 31-year-old threw 67 pitches over 4 2/3 frames in his last rehab start for Syracuse on Sunday, which was his third total rehab outing. A strained right shoulder initially kept Senga from starting the season in New York's rotation before he suffered a setback due to a triceps injury. The Japanese hurler was the Mets' ace in 2023 with a 12-7 record, 2.98 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and impressive 29.1% strikeout rate and shouldn't be floating around any waiver wires with his 2024 debut right around the corner.

New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga (shoulder, triceps) threw 2 2/3 more scoreless innings on Tuesday in his second minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Syracuse and he's now thrown 5 1/3 scoreless innings so far on his rehab assignment. However, Tuesday's outing wasn't as dominant as his first rehab start, as he walked two batters and needed 52 pitches to record eight outs. The good news is that Senga topped out at 98 mph and averaged 96 mph on his fastball while generating five swings and misses on six swings on his ghost forkball. Mets officials are still debating how many more rehab starts Senga will need, but two seems like a reasonable guess. Barring another setback, the 31-year-old Japanese hurler could rejoin the Mets' rotation later this month after missing the entire first half of the season. Senga has ace potential when healthy and needs to be rostered in all fantasy leagues.

New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga (shoulder, triceps) will make his next minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Syracuse, probably on Tuesday, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. Senga will throw roughly 50 pitches. Things get a little tricky after that with the All-Star break coming, but the Mets want Senga to get to 75 to 80 pitches before making his 2024 debut in the big leagues. The 31-year-old Japanese hurler went 2 2/3 innings (35 pitches) for High-A Brooklyn on Wednesday in his first rehab start. If everything goes well in his next couple of rehab starts, Senga could rejoin the Mets' starting rotation around the end of July. Although he has yet to pitch this year due to shoulder and triceps injuries, Senga proved last year that he has high-end fantasy potential at the top of New York's rotation.

New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga (shoulder) began a much-awaited minor-league rehab assignment on Wednesday, striking out six batters over 2 2/3 scoreless innings with High-A Brooklyn. Senga allowed just one baserunner on a fielding error, so it was effectively a perfect outing from the right-hander. It's also worth noting that Senga's fastball velocity hit 97 mph on Wednesday. He's going to need several more starts in the minors before becoming an option to rejoin New York's rotation, which should take him toward the end of July or early August, though it's not yet clear if he'll jump to a higher affiliate for his next appearance. The 31-year-old Japanese hurler was an All-Star during his first year in the majors in 2023, and he needs to be stashed in all fantasy leagues at this stage.

New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga (shoulder, triceps) will start his minor-league rehab assignment by starting for High-A Brooklyn on Wednesday and he's expected to throw 40 pitches. Senga was diagnosed with a right-shoulder strain during spring training in February and then had his rehab paused due to a triceps injury. The 31-year-old Japanese hurler has yet to make his 2024 debut in the big leagues due to the injuries, but after a solid rookie season for the Mets in 2023, he should have been stashed in an injured-list spot in all fantasy leagues to this point. Because of the long layoff, Senga will have a rather lengthy rehab assignment and isn't going to be ready to rejoin New York's starting rotation until after the All-Star break. Senga was an All-Star last year and went 12-7 with a 2.98 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with a nice 29.1% strikeout rate in 29 starts (166 1/3 innings).

New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga (shoulder, triceps) threw a 22-pitch live batting practice session on Tuesday in Port St. Lucie, Fla., marking the first time he's faced hitters since early May. Senga will now fly back to New York with an eye toward potentially throwing another live batting practice session by the end of this week. The 31-year-old Japanese hurler has been out all season after initially landing on the injured list coming out of spring training due to a shoulder capsule strain. He advanced to mound work in late April before being shut down with tightness and nerve inflammation in his triceps. The good news is Senga is trending in the right direction, but he's not going to be ready to make his 2024 debut for the Mets or fantasy managers until after the second half of the season. Fantasy managers must remain patient.UPDATE: Senga intends to begin a minor-league rehab assignment next week, assuming he comes out of one last live BP session on Thursday feeling strong.

New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga (shoulder) was able to throw a successful 22-pitch live bullpen session on Sunday. This is the first time that Senga has been able to face hitters since early May. The expectation is that Senga will do this again before heading out on a rehab assignment. It's a step in the right direction, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect to get Senga back anytime soon. The hope is that Senga can rejoin the rotation following the All-Star break.