Mets should take a conservative approach with Kodai Senga

New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga is nearing his 2024 Major League debut after sitting out the entire first half of the season with shoulder issues, and while many Mets fans are excited about adding their number one starter back to the rotation, I do have some reservations.Senga largely struggled in what should be his final rehab start on Saturday in Syracuse which doesn't bode much confidence in his return potentially on Friday.

My gut feeling is telling me that Senga should make at least one more rehab start in Syracuse after struggling to record an out and make it out of the fourth inning on Saturday. Another very concerning issue was Senga's velocity being down from where it normally sits, which to me was a bigger concern than the Washington Nationals minor leaguers knocking him around and off the mound.

The Mets front office should potentially rethink their decision with bringing Kodai Senga up this week

Shoulder injuries are complex and tricky, as we've seen Senga have a previous setback with his shoulder earlier this year. The Mets rotation has been fairly consistent since turning the ship around at the end of May, which could afford the front office to be conservative and give Senga one more rehab start to get right before coming up to Queens. It would also allow Senga to get closer to throwing 100 pitches after only throwing 79 in his final rehab start.

Also, I believe letting Senga make his Major League debut against the Los Angeles Angels the following week, who have largely struggled this season, would make for a better matchup for his 2024 debut, rather than putting him up against the Atlanta Braves in his first start in which will be a very high-pressure situation with the way the Wild Card standings currently sit.

My biggest concern is ensuring Senga is 100% healthy as he is such a large factor for the Mets in both their potential playoff run and the next several seasons. Taking a conservative approach with Senga wouldn't be the worst idea for the front office as they give their starters one more turn through the rotation before bringing Senga back.