Mets Kodai Senga showing signs of past form with strong spring outing

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LUCIE — Kodai Senga’s second Grapefruit League start resembled the kind of performance common from him in the first half of last season.The right-hander fired three perfect innings in the Mets’ 1-0 exhibition loss to the Marlins on Friday, finishing with five strikeouts and departing after 38 pitches.Senga said he threw another 30 pitches in the bullpen after leaving the game.Senga pitched last season to a 1.39 ERA in the first half before a tailspin after the All-Star break pushed him to accept a minor league assignment in September.On this night, Senga averaged 96.5 mph with his four-seam fastball.

He topped out at 98.6 mph with the pitch.Senga showed similar velocity in his initial Grapefruit League start last weekend.“I am healthy and I think that is the most important thing,” Senga said through his interpreter.Clay Holmes pitched five innings (62 pitches) in a piggyback role, allowing him the buildup he needed in his progression toward the regular season.

The right-hander departed Team USA in the World Baseball Classic because of the uncertainty of whether he would receive enough innings to build up if he remained.“It was a tough decision I had to make, but it was the right one,” Holmes said.Francisco Lindor batted against A.J.

Minter, the shortstop’s first live batting practice since undergoing left hamate bone surgery last month.The Mets remain optimistic that Lindor will be ready for Opening Day.

The team’s president of baseball operations, David Stearns, has indicated Lindor will have to play in games this spring before he’s cleared for Opening Day.Sign up for Inside the Mets by Mike Puma, exclusively on Sports+ Please provide a valid email.

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