Kodai Senga’s return to the Grapefruit League sparked more concern over the pitch clock rules than his right index finger.
The Mets right-hander pitched for three innings and allowed one earned run on three hits with five strikeouts before leaving after throwing 57 pitches.
Senga sought clarification from the plate umpire on the pitch clock rules.
However, he had a smooth evening and controlled his pitches pretty well.
Although Senga was previously scratched from his last start because of tendinitis at the base of his right index finger, he said it was “all good” during his latest outing.
He explained that different types of treatment and training helped him to get used to the ball, and he was approaching his return to the big leagues one step at a time.
Senga’s forkball was noticeably absent from his arsenal, and he relied heavily on his fastball, which topped out at 97 mph, and slider.
He developed new grips for his cutter and sweeper slider during the offseason, and they became the pitches he wanted to work on during his latest outing.
Although Senga has kept tabs on his native Japan’s progress in the World Baseball Classic, he doesn’t regret his decision to stay with the Mets this spring rather than pitch for his homeland.
He is focused on his job of preparing for the Mets and Opening Day, and that’s his top priority.
»Mets’ Kodai Senga dominates in return, despite absence of forkball«
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