Mets Pitching Injury Updates Heading Into May
Some potentially key Mets pitchers are steadily making their way to the roster, while others…not so much.
Like many teams throughout the league, the Mets have already had their share of impactful injuries this season, so of which occurred even before pitchers and catchers reported. As we had into May, let’s take a look at the statuses of a handful of Mets on the mend.
Kodai Senga – Last season’s Rookie-of-the-Year runner-up is yet to throw a pitch in his sophomore campaign. Early in spring training, the Mets shut him down due to a right shoulder capsule strain. At the time, they said it would likely delay him by a couple weeks and it was possible he’d be back with the team in late April/early May. Instead, in early April, the transferred him from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL to clear a spot on the 40-man roster. This meant that Senga wouldn’t be eligible to return until May 27th.
After the initial announcement of his injury, Senga went about a month without throwing at all. This was followed by a flat ground throwing program, followed by throwing off a mound, then a number of bullpen sessions. On Monday, Senga took the next step towards his return by throwing around 20 pitches to Mets High-A hitters at Citi Field. Senga is expected to throw a couple more live batting practice sessions like this one before moving on to the next stage – minor league rehab assignments. This would put him on track to return on, or close to, the May 27th eligibility date. Of course, the Mets have learned not to get ahead of themselves and are currently most-focused on how Senga will feel on Tuesday following the initial bp session.
David Peterson – The one-time prospect for the Mets had surgery in the offseason that delayed the starts to his 2024 season. A little more than six months ago, Peterson underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left hip. His recovery has been progressing as expected, and this past Sunday he made his first rehab appearance, throwing 2 innings for the Low-A St. Lucie Mets. Peterson faced six batters, retiring them all, five by strikeout. In all, he threw 28 pitches, 20 of which for strikes. Like Senga, Peterson is eligible to come off the IL on May 27th. While his role on the pitching staff is currently undefined, it’s certainly encouraging for the Mets to see the 4-year veteran on the mound again.
Tylor Megill – Back on March 31st, the tall Mets righty started the third game of the season against the Milwaukee Brewers, giving up 2 runs (1 earned) and taking the loss in a 4-1 Brewers victory. The day after the game, Megill was place on the 15-day IL with a shoulder strain. While he suffered a similar strain in 2022 that ended up costing him 3 months of the season, this one was reported to be less severe. Like Peterson, Megill made his first rehab start this past weekend, throwing two perfect innings, striking out the side in each, for the High-A Brooklyn Cyclones. Also like Peterson, Megill’s role on the Mets pitching staff is unclear. He edged out Jose Butto for the final spot in the Mets rotation coming out of spring training, and Butto appears to have established himself in the rotation, at least to some degree, in Megill’s absence. And while the number of minor league rehab starts Megill will need is yet to be determined, he could be ready to return to the Mets sometime in May.
Nate Lavender – The talented relief prospect who caught the team’s, and fans’, attention early in spring training appears to be headed for Tommy John surgery. The young lefty went on the Triple-A injured list last week with an elbow injury and will meet with elbow expert Dr. Keith Meister sometime this week. At that point, the doctor and the team will determine if he needs the surgery, or an internal brace procedure. While the latter would likely cost him the rest of this season, TJ surgery would mean that the Mets won’t see him pitch again until the middle of next season at the earliest. Earlier in April, another Mets pitching prospect, Calvin Ziegler was informed that he would need TJ surgery.
The Mets pitching staff has been one of the stronger and more reliable components of the team so far this season. Three of the five current starters are new to the Mets this season (Luis Severino, Sean Manaea, and Adrian Houser), while the other two (Butto and Jose Quintana) have never pitched a full season with the team. Houser’s early-season struggles have been notable, and it remains to be seen if the Mets will adjust their staff when Senga, Peterson, and Megill are determined ready to return.
