Mets’ Kodai Senga ‘100% ready’ for his 2024 debut Friday: ‘I’ve been working toward this’

NEW YORK — At long last, New York Mets ace Kodai Senga is ready for his season debut.

The right-hander said he’s prepared to make his first start of 2024 on Friday night against the Atlanta Braves after a shoulder strain cost him the first four months of the season.

“I’ve been working toward this for the last few months,” the Japanese-born Senga said through an interpreter before Tuesday’s Subway Series opener at Yankee Stadium.

“I feel 100 percent ready and I’m excited to get back out there.”

Senga threw a bullpen session on Tuesday, three days after he made his fourth minor-league rehab start.

The 31-year-old surrendered five runs on eight hits and three walks over three innings in Saturday’s start with Triple-A Syracuse, ramping his pitch count up to 79.

“I was definitely working towards something, just trying to figure out what I can and cannot do at that point,” Senga said Tuesday of that rehab outing. “Not really focused on getting the hitters out, but just really trying to understand myself, so I think it was really productive.”

Senga was expected to begin the year as the Mets’ No. 1 starter after pitching to a 12-7 record, a 2.98 ERA and 202 strikeouts in 166.1 innings last season, which was his first in the U.S.

He was diagnosed during spring training with a moderate strain of the posterior capsule in his right shoulder, however, and his return has been delayed by multiple setbacks since.

“Very, very, very difficult, both mentally and physically,” Senga said of his prolonged absence. “But now that I’m ready to go, I want to put all of that frustration toward the second half and perform.”

The Mets plan to deploy a six-man rotation, which will allow Senga to pitch on extra rest on a schedule similar to what he was accustomed to in Japan. Senga primarily pitched on five or more days of rest last season.

Senga said he believes he’ll be able to throw close to 100 pitches on Friday after approaching 80 in his last outing.

“He feels good,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday. “He feels like he can go, but the game will dictate [his pitch count]. We’ll watch him closely.”

Senga’s return to the rotation is expected to come three days after the Mets placed rookie starter Christian Scott on the 15-day injured list with a right UCL sprain. With the Mets still intending to use a six-man rotation once Senga returns, Jose Butto and Tylor Megill are among the candidates to replace Scott.

Late arrival

The Mets faced a bit of turbulence before the Subway Series.

After wrapping up their four-game series in Miami with a night game on Monday, the Mets experienced a delayed takeoff back to New York because their jet wasn’t fueled, hitting coach Eric Chavez wrote on Instagram.

That made for some late arrivals. Luis Severino said he got home at 6 a.m. Tuesday. Pete Alonso said he did not get home until 7 a.m.

“Had a nice rush-hour traffic, and yeah, we’re ready to go,” Alonso said before Tuesday’s game.

The players vowed the experience would not affect them against the Yankees.

“This game will throw random things at you, mostly on the field but sometimes off the field, and just like we do on the field, we adjust and adapt accordingly,” Harrison Bader said. “I think we’ll worry about sleep at a later time.”

Reid-Foley rehab

The Mets’ beleaguered bullpen could receive some relief soon, as Sean Reid-Foley (shoulder) is set to begin a rehab assignment at High-A Brooklyn on Thursday.

Reid-Foley, who boasts a 1.66 ERA this season, last appeared in an MLB game on June 19.

He threw a successful live bullpen session on Monday, according to Mendoza.

The Mets lost relievers Brooks Raley and Drew Smith to season-ending elbow injuries and are currently without Reed Garrett (elbow inflammation), whom Mendoza said progressed to throwing from 100 feet on Wednesday.

Bradley boost

The Mets added another outfield option to the organization on Tuesday, signing Jackie Bradley Jr. to a minor-league deal, according to MLB.com.

The center fielder, who batted .400 in 40 games with the independent-league Long Island Ducks, was an All-Star in 2016 and a Gold Glove winner in 2018.

Bradley, who is expected to go to Triple-A, has played for the Red Sox, Brewers, Blue Jays and Royals over 11 MLB seasons.

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