Kodai Senga took the mound for a live bullpen session during Mets spring training, firing 50 pitches with his signature intensity. His arm felt strong, his trademark ghost forkball had its usual bite, and the Mets staff seemed encouraged. After the whole injury plague, it’s finally some good news for the Mets fans. But Senga himself wasn’t satisfied. Even as he powered through the session without physical setbacks, the right-hander openly admitted his mechanics weren’t where he wanted them to be.

“I’m not 100% content,” Senga admitted in a recent interview with SNY, recognizing the need for refinement within just over two weeks. Despite his dissatisfaction, Senga remains on track to anchor the Mets’ rotation. He acknowledges the progress but refuses to settle for anything less than peak form. “I’m still working on things, working on mechanics,” he said. “There are like two and a half weeks until the season starts, so I plan to continue to work on it, and then I’ll be ready for Opening Day.”

Coming off an injury-riddled 2024, Senga knows better than anyone that fine-tuning now could mean the difference between dominance and another disrupted season.

Kodai Senga’s ghost forkball remains a threat on the field by confusing batters with its late drop and erratic movements. In his practice session in the bullpen, the pitch looked sharp as ever, showing why it’s considered one of the trickiest slow pitches in baseball. Opposing hitters find it challenging to hit squarely, often swinging over it or making contact. Moreover, this pitch played a key role in his rookie campaign in 2023 where he achieved a 2.98 ERA and struck out 202 batters. However, no matter how effective it may be, Senga understands that having skills alone is not sufficient. The key lies in being able to control them effectively determining whether one will excel or struggle in the season.

This spring has been about honing Kodai Senga’s control on the field, especially when it comes to his fastball and cutter, so he can unleash his ghost forkball with precision when needed most. Last season saw him struggle a bit with walks which often put him in spots unnecessarily. The Mets coaches are really pushing for command of his fastball so he can avoid counts and be more effective overall, during games. “If I can stay in the zone early and not waste pitches, it makes everything else play up,” Senga said.

It’s evident that Kodai Senga has a goal in mind. He’s not just striving to stay healthy but also aiming for greatness in his performance level. Despite the efforts required to reach his peak condition his strong self-awareness and determination are promising signs for the Mets rotation as they greatly rely on him performing at his potential.

Will the Mets need a backup plan? Concerns over Senga’s durability

Despite Kodai Senga being a crucial member of the Mets pitching staff, there are concerns about his long-term reliability due to mechanical problems and previous health issues. While he is optimistic about being prepared for Opening Day, the Mets need strategies in case of any setbacks. Paul Blackburn, acquired in a trade, brings experience but isn’t a workhorse. David Peterson and Tylor Megill have battled inconsistency, and Clay Holmes is transitioning to a starting role, leaving plenty of question marks.

Other than that, the Mets would be forced to lean on unproven arms or explore external options. Their top pitching prospects, including Brandon Sproat and Dom Hamel, need more development before stepping into a major league role. The Mets might have to consider looking into trades or free agency during the midseason due to a lack of rotation depth. The front office remains hopeful about Senga’s development progress. However, given the uncertainties in the rotation lineup; his health and performance could determine whether the team has a season or ends up facing disappointments like in previous years.

While his mechanics are still in progress, it’s crucial to strike a balance between retaining his moves and hitting the right spots consistently. Do you think he’ll manage to tune the touches and take charge of the Mets’ pitching lineup once the season kicks in?