Senga makes rehab start, likely to rejoin Mets before All-Star break

NEW YORK -- Kodai Senga is due to rejoin the Mets’ rotation this weekend -- ahead of schedule, as far as manager Carlos Mendoza is concerned.

A day after Senga made a 68-pitch rehab start for Double-A Binghamton, Mendoza indicated that he expects Senga back in time for the Mets’ weekend series in Kansas City. The right-hander should slide into the rotation next Friday or Saturday.

“When he went down, in my head it was more like after the All-Star break,” Mendoza said. “For him to be in play for us now before we go into the All-Star break, it’s huge for us.”

Pitching Saturday for Binghamton against Hartford, Senga allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks over 3 2/3 innings, with four strikeouts. Mets officials were more concerned with Senga’s health than they were with his results, giving them a level of comfort in bringing him back this week.

Prior to his injury, Senga was 7-3 with a 1.47 ERA in 13 starts.

“Huge,” Mendoza said when asked about Senga’s return. “We saw it when he went down, how hard it was for us. He’s a big part of this team, he’s a big part of the rotation.”

Both Senga and Sean Manaea, the latter of whom is rehabbing from a right oblique strain and left elbow inflammation, are likely to pitch next weekend in Kansas City. Manaea must complete one final Minor League rehab start on Tuesday, but assuming he comes through that outing with no issues, he will start Sunday in Kansas City.

Clay Holmes and David Peterson are scheduled to pitch Tuesday and Wednesday for the Mets in Baltimore, with either Justin Hagenman or an opener starting the finale. The Mets’ rotation in Kansas City should then include Frankie Montas, Senga and Manaea.

By the time the Mets come out of the All-Star break, they will be able to roll with a rotation of Senga, Manaea, Peterson, Holmes and Montas in some order. In addition, both Tylor Megill and Paul Blackburn have resumed playing catch, with an eye toward returning by the end of July. Even without those two, however, the Mets have moved beyond the worst of their pitching issues.

“Being able to piece it together the way we did it,” Mendoza said, “it’s good to see the boys come through.”

Winker also nearing a return
Designated hitter Jesse Winker is tentatively scheduled to return from the IL before the Mets’ series opener Tuesday in Baltimore. Winker has been sidelined since May 4 due to a left oblique strain. He was slashing .239/.321/.418 with one homer in 24 games prior to his injury.

Upon his return, Winker should slot back into his role as a platoon DH against right-handed pitchers. The Mets have no imminent plans to use Winker in the outfield, which is where he injured his oblique.