Kodai Senga is delaying his return to the New York Mets after struggling in his second minor-league start since being optioned to Triple-A Syracuse earlier this month.
Carlos Mendoza told reporters that Senga, who was eligible to come back to MLB on Saturday, told the Mets on a Friday call he is not ready to return.
“He was pretty honest, again, with us today, and we both agreed that that was gonna be the case,” Mendoza said Friday (h/t SNY).
When asked if Senga had seemed “down on himself” during the call, Mendoza answered: “No, no. Just like, ‘Hey, I would like to continue to face hitters before I’m active again at the big league level.'”
The decision came after Senga gave up four runs in 3 2/3 innings in his Thursday night Triple-A start.
Senga allowed six hits and two walks while striking out four batters before leaving the game.
There won’t be enough time for Senga to record another start for Syracuse, which wraps up the season on Sunday.
Mendoza expects Senga to face live batters next week, although the Mets are still figuring out where the practice will take place.
“We’ve got to come up with a plan here, and see how we can accommodate that,” Mendoza said.
When asked if the Mets would consider using Senga in a bullpen capacity should the club qualify for the postseason, Mendoza answered, “It’s too early to tell.”
Senga, 32, accepted an option to Triple-A after struggling to find consistency in his return from a month on the injured list with a hamstring strain.
In eight MLB starts between his return and his option, Senga had posted a 5.90 ERA through 39.2 innings pitched.
Mendoza had told reporters prior to Thursday’s game that how Senga performed in his second minor-league start could influence the pitcher’s chances of making the Mets’ postseason roster.
Senga could be hoping next week’s live batting practice will provide another chance for him to impress Mendoza enough to re-establish himself as a postseason option.
The Mets will meanwhile focus on staying ahead of the Cincinnati Reds for the final Wild Card spot in the NL. The Reds sit 1.5 games back of the Mets heading into Friday night’s home game against the Washington Nationals.
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