Positive Developments for the Mets’ Pitching Staff
On a day when the Mets received disappointing news about catcher Francisco Alvarez, there were silver linings in the progress of two key pitchers, Kodai Senga and Clay Holmes. The Mets’ starting rotation has faced some setbacks with injuries to Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas, but manager Carlos Mendoza was optimistic about the developments with these two arms.
Kodai Senga’s Mechanics and Preparations
A year ago, injuries and mechanical issues derailed Senga’s second season with the Mets. However, the 32-year-old right-hander showed promising signs during an intrasquad workout on Sunday, throwing four innings and 50 pitches. While Senga acknowledged there’s still work to be done, he is confident he will be ready for Opening Day.
"I’m still working on things, working on mechanics, I’m not 100 percent content," Senga said through an interpreter. "But… we’re like two and a half weeks before the season starts, I plan to continue to work on it and then I’ll be ready for Opening Day."
Assistant pitching coach Desi Druschel, who observed Senga’s workout, reported that the righty’s two-seam pitch is improving. Despite a slight dip in velocity, Senga believes the backfield work was a contributing factor. He emphasized the importance of physical preparation to ensure he is ready when the adrenaline kicks in at Citi Field. Mendoza and the coaching staff will continue to monitor Senga’s progress, ensuring he builds up to a higher pitch count.
Clay Holmes’ Transition to Starting
Clay Holmes, a reliever turned starter, had another solid outing on Sunday, continuing his scoreless streak. He allowed just one hit, three walks, and struck out eight batters in 3.2 innings against the Nationals. However, the 31-year-old noted that his sinker wasn’t as effective early, which forced him to adapt.
"Sinker wasn’t there early,” Holmes said. “It kinda just forced me to pitch a little bit, which I think is good learning here in spring training. And it was fortunate to make some of those pitches.”
Mendoza praised Holmes’ ability to navigate through the innings despite the challenges. “He had to pitch today," Mendoza said. "On a day when, he’d probably tell you, the [sinker] wasn’t at its best, that’s part of the transition. Where, as a reliever, you don’t have your A-pitch, you’re gonna have to find a way to get it back. Now as a starter, he’s just finding a way to ‘let me use the slider, the changeup, the cutter, the four-seam’ finding a way to get through innings. And he did that today.”
Holmes’ changeup, in particular, stood out. He threw 16 changeups, getting six whiffs and two called strikes. The sweeper also showed promise with four called strikes and whiffs. Holmes emphasized the value of these outings in helping him develop a game plan and adapt to different scenarios.
“Probably the most pitches I’ve thrown in a while,” Holmes said, adding he likely had not thrown that many pitches since 2018. “So it was nice to just kinda feel the heat, feel close to 70 pitches.”
Preparing for the Regular Season
Holmes recognized the importance of his upcoming spring training outings as he stretches toward his final pitch count. “But also, just seeing how my stuff plays second time through the lineup, third time through the lineup and just really getting that feel of getting guys out this way, getting guys out another way, reading swings kinda seeing what they’re doing,” he said. “As I start to stretch out and start to see guys multiple times, it’s gonna really allow me to get a feel for the starting role and that aspect, which is gonna be important.”
Brandon Nimmo’s Recovery
Manager Carlos Mendoza provided an update on outfielder Brandon Nimmo, who has been dealing with knee issues. Nimmo received a "gel injection" to help lubricate the joint and is expected to begin ramping up his activities starting Monday.
“Hopefully, just get through tomorrow,” Mendoza said. "Tomorrow, we should start ramping him back up, some baseball activities, and then we’ll go from there.”
Nimmo’s recovery is a crucial aspect of the Mets’ plans, and the team will monitor his progress closely to ensure he is ready for the regular season.
Conclusion
Despite the setback with Francisco Alvarez, the Mets have reasons to be optimistic with the progress of Kodai Senga and Clay Holmes. Senga’s focus on mechanics and preparation, along with Holmes’ adaptability and learning experience, bode well for their contributions to the starting rotation. Meanwhile, Brandon Nimmo’s recovery is a positive sign for the outfield. As the team prepares for the regular season, these developments highlight the resilience and determination of the Mets’ pitching staff and key players.
