Kodai Senga to start rehab assignment for Mets against St. Lucie

New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga is scheduled to make his first minor league rehabilitation start on Friday, marking a significant step in his recovery from a lower back injury. The right-hander will pitch for Single-A St. Lucie, his first game action since being placed on the injured list on April 27 with lumbar spine inflammation.

Manager Carlos Mendoza said Senga is expected to throw between 50 and 60 pitches over a maximum of four innings. Mendoza noted that Senga recently threw approximately 40 pitches in a live batting practice session and is ready for competition. The manager added it is too early to determine if Senga will require the full 30-day window allotted for a rehab assignment.

Senga, 33, has struggled this season, posting an 0-4 record with a 9.00 earned run average across five starts before his injury. An All-Star as a rookie in 2023, he holds a career record of 20-17 with a 3.39 ERA in 57 starts, all with the Mets. His absence is part of broader challenges for the team's pitching staff. Another starting pitcher, Sean Manaea, has been moved to a bullpen role, while reinforcements from the minor leagues have produced mixed results.