MILWAUKEE — Kodai Senga might make a return for the New York Mets in the National League Division Series.
Club officials are having ongoing discussions about whether to activate Senga, team sources said.
Senga would likely only be able to provide the Mets a short outing — maybe an inning or two — so the conversation centers on whether it makes sense to devote a roster spot for such a role over someone who can provide more length. As of Thursday night, the club was undecided. Rosters are not due until Saturday morning.
Earlier this week, Senga threw 25 pitches in a live bullpen session in Florida.
After finishing runner-up for the Rookie of the Year Award last year, Senga made just one start during the regular season. A shoulder injury knocked him out from the start of spring training until late July, when he made his only start of the regular season. In that outing, he suffered a calf strain after striking out nine in 5 1/3 innings.
The Mets’ roster was already set to change a bit for the NLDS. The team is expected to carry starter Tylor Megill this time around. The right-hander may start Game 1.
To make room for Megill, the Mets can easily remove Max Kranick, who surprisingly cracked the Wild Card Series roster after never appearing for the Mets during the regular season. He also did not appear in the Mets’ three games against the Milwaukee Brewers.
To potentially add Senga, the Mets’ decision may hinge on how much they prefer carrying right-handers Huascar Brazoban and Adam Ottavino and lefty Danny Young. One of the three would be a candidate to lose his spot for Senga.
(Photo: Jim McIsaac / Getty Images)
