Kodai Senga Nears Return with the Mets
Mets ace Kodai Senga had a strong performance in his rehab start with Double-A Binghamton against Hartford on Saturday night.
Senga pitched until the fourth inning, allowing four runs, three of them earned, and six hits in 3⅔ innings. The right-hander struck out four batters and walked two, throwing 44 of 68 pitches for strikes.
Senga, one of the Mets’ 13 pitchers on the injured list, could return to New York’s decimated rotation next weekend in Kansas City, just before the All-Star break.
The pitcher suffered a strain in his right hamstring while covering first base on June 12, which triggered a 3-14 losing streak for the Mets. In his 13 starts this season, Senga has a 7-3 record with a 1.47 ERA.
Zach Pop Bolsters Mets’ Bullpen
In related news, Zach Pop signed a one-year contract with the Mets and joined the bullpen before the Subway Series game against the Yankees.
The right was not used in the game, which the Mets won 12-6, achieving their fourth consecutive victory.
Pop made four appearances as a reliever for the Seattle Mariners in June before being designated for assignment last weekend. Instead of accepting a direct assignment to the minor leagues, he opted for free agency on Wednesday.
Right-hander Austin Warren was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse after throwing 34 pitches in 1⅔ innings of relief on Friday for the Mets in their 6-5 victory over the Yankees.
Tyler Zuber was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Pop.
Pop allowed a run in 4⅓ innings in his first three starts with the Mariners, but then gave up eight runs, seven of them earned, in one inning on June 26 in Minnesota. In that game, he allowed six hits, two walks, and two home runs.
Pop, 28, grew up in Canada before attending university in Kentucky. In 162 major league games over five seasons with Miami, Toronto and Seattle, he has an 8-5 record with a 4.75 ERA and a save.
Mets Injury Update
In other news, right-handed pitcher Tylor Megill (elbow sprain) is starting to throw.
Left-handed reliever Brooks Raley (Tommy John surgery) has been pitching well during his rehab assignment in the minor leagues, but is not expected to return until after the All-Star break, according to manager Carlos Mendoza.
