Update on Kodai Senga injury: Mets pitcher intends to return for regular season, but at ‘no less than 100%’

New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga is eager to get back to pitching before the regular season ends on September 29. Senga told reporters (including Fox’s Disha Thosar) on Wednesday that he won’t return until he feels 100% fit, as each game is so important to the Mets’ playoff chances.

Senga estimated he is currently at between 70 and 80%.

Senga, 31, has played just once in the big leagues this season because of injuries. He was out of action until July 26 due to a shoulder strain. He then suffered a calf strain in his first game, which is threatening to rule him out for the entire season.

Last week, Mets executive David Stearns expressed optimism about Senga’s prospects. “If everything continues to move this way, we could look at him,” he said at the time.

Senga made it to the All-Star Game last season, his first year in the US. In 29 starts, he compiled a 2.98 ERA (140 ERA+) and a 2.62 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His contributions were equivalent to an estimated 4.5 Wins Above Replacement, according to Baseball Reference’s calculations. Senga finished second in Rookie of the Year Award voting, as well as seventh in Cy Young Award voting.

In addition to Senga, the Mets are currently without fellow starters Paul Blackburn and Christian Scott, who were declared essential players on Wednesday. season-ending elbow surgery,

New York entered Wednesday tied with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the second wild-card spot. The Mets hold a two-game lead over the Atlanta Braves, whom they are scheduled to face next week in a three-game set that will determine the season series/tiebreaker. That series could also determine which team advances to the postseason, depending on how next week goes.