PHILADELPHIA — The Mets are still holding out hope that Kodai Senga may return before the end of the regular season, with David Stearns saying Saturday he’s “pretty optimistic” the team’s ace will make it back.
If Senga works his way onto the roster from the calf strain that has kept him out since making one start in July, it would likely be as a starter on a short leash.
But the pitcher they acquired in part due to Senga’s calf injury at the end of July suffered another setback.
Paul Blackburn, sidelined first with a right hand contusion before his return was put on hold because of a back issue, has a spinal fluid leak in his mid-back, according to the Mets president of baseball operations.
“It’s not a long-term, scary health situation,’’ Stearns said at Citizens Bank Park, where the Mets faced the Phillies. “It sounds troubling, but it’s an unusual baseball injury that led to the back discomfort he felt and progressively got worse.”
While the Mets and Blackburn work with specialists to determine the best course of action for the right-hander, Stearns said there’s no timeline for a return.
The cause of the injury is also unclear and Blackburn has dealt with a variety of injuries throughout his career.
And as the Mets continue to be in the middle of the postseason chase, it’s becoming more certain that they will at least have to make a decision regarding Senga’s role.
Senga is expected to throw live BP at Citi Field Monday or Tuesday and has stated his hope and desire to get back on the mound for the Mets as they make their playoff push after missing the bulk of the season with a strained capsule in his shoulder before going down with the left calf injury.
Since Senga has been able to throw since injuring his calf, Stearns believes there’s a chance he can pitch again in 2024.
“I’m pretty optimistic right now,’’ Stearns said. “He’s feeling good. He’s kept his arm moving throughout this [injury]. If all continues to progress as it is right now, we should see him.”
Asked about Senga’s potential role on the staff, Stearns was non-committal, although he offered an educated guess.
“We’ll make that determination when we get closer,’’ Stearns said. “Senga has pitched in the front end of games. I think that’s probably what we’ll do. Until we get to the point [where] we have to make that decision, we’re not gonna put anything in pen.”
Even with injuries to starters like Senga, Blackburn and Christian Scott, the Mets have the fourth-best ERA in the majors since the trade deadline, buoyed by the performance of David Peterson, Sean Manaea and Luis Severino, as well as the recent excellence of Jose Quintana.
