PORT ST. LUCIE — Kodai Senga nonetheless isn’t certain what to make of the Major Leagues, however he’s prepared to seek out out.
The Mets’ right-hander made one remaining begin Monday in an intrasquad sport pitching in opposition to among the group’s high prospects. His first begin of the spring additionally got here in opposition to Mets hitters. The membership has taken a cautious strategy this spring to permit him to regulate to the brand new ball, the brand new mound and a brand new nation, however Senga is able to go away the confines of Port St. Lucie and face a few of baseball’s greatest hitters.
“I didn’t face a lot of famous hitters today, but hopefully soon I’ll find out and we’ll see how amped up I get,” he stated by way of a translator. “I’m excited.”
Senga threw 72 pitches, 12-15 of which had been splitters. He had beforehand been advised to put off of these to verify the center finger tendinitis didn’t return, however all went effectively and his finger feels advantageous. He’s cleared to throw 90 pitches in his first outing in opposition to the Miami Marlins.
“The last outing before the real deal,” Senga stated. “I thought I had pretty good control on my pitches and it went pretty well.”
Senga completed the Grapefruit League season with a 4.00 ERA in 9 innings with 10 strikeouts. His fastball sat persistently within the mid-to-high-90s, which is according to the place it was in Japan. There had been some management points in earlier outings, as is evidenced by the 5 walks, however these are to be anticipated when adjusting to a special strike zone. But total, it was clear that his stuff performs. The splitter proved to be a lethal pitch that flummoxed hitters and everybody is raring to see him pitch to a Major League lineup.
The transition to North American baseball has been considerably clean aside from a number of minor hiccups alongside the way in which. The slope of the mound and the ball itself is completely different. He’s able to play in a spot that isn’t fairly as scorching as Port St. Lucie and he’s able to get acclimated to New York. He had an opportunity to speak with Koji Uehara not too long ago and the nine-year MLB veteran gave him some reassuring recommendation.
Senga has develop into a popular member of the staff, regardless of the language barrier. It’s robust to have the ability to undertaking the influence of gamers from the Nippon Professional League, however the one factor left to do now’s pitch in his first Major League sport.
“There will be some twists and turns along the way,” supervisor Buck Showalter stated. “He’s dealt with it effectively at each flip. He’s acquired a great foothold and a great foundation to begin the season. He’s prepared for the following step.
“There isn’t another level.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com