Kodai Senga’s hope is he will be pitching in a minor league game next week.
The Mets right-hander will face hitters during a live batting practice on Thursday, after which if all goes well he anticipates he will be ready to take the last big step in his rehab by pitching in minor league games.
“Everything feels really good, so I don’t think there will be any hiccups,” Senga said through his interpreter before the Mets’ 9-7 win over the Yankees at Citi Field on Tuesday.
Senga faced hitters on Sunday for the first time since incurring a setback last month in his rehab from a right shoulder.
Asked about the possibility he would need five or six starts in the minor leagues to prepare for his Mets’ season debut, Senga said his hope is the number would be fewer so he can return to help the team sooner.
“It really depends on how my body feels,” Senga said.
Sean Reid-Foley had an MRI exam that confirmed a right shoulder impingement, according to manager Carlos Mendoza.
The right-hander received a shot and is expected to resume throwing within the next few days.
Ben Gamel was selected from Triple-A Syracuse to take Starling Marte’s roster spot after the veteran outfielder was placed on the injured list with a bone bruise in his right knee.
Gamel, a former Yankees player, brings another left-handed bat to the mix.
Gamel recalled playing in the Subway Series in 2016 and sacrifice bunting in his lone plate appearance.
He said part of his reason for signing with the Mets in the offseason was his relationship with Mendoza, who was his manager in his first full year in the Yankees’ minor-league system in 2012.
The Mets played a video tribute to remember Willie Mays, who died last week at age 93.
Mays’ son Michael will throw out the first pitch before Wednesday’s game at Citi Field.
Willie Mays played for the Mets in 1972-73 and had his No. 24 retired by the team two years ago as the fulfillment of a promise to the Hall of Famer by former Mets owner Joan Whitney Payson.
