Odds hold that injuries and/or underperformance will settle most controversies in the Mets’ rotation, but the team is beginning to see a crowded group of recovering starters at least approaching the horizon.
Major steps are coming up for Tylor Megill and Kodai Senga, the former closer to a return.
Megill is set to begin a rehab assignment Saturday with two innings at High-A Brooklyn as he works his way back from a low-grade shoulder strain.
Tylor Megill is set to begin a rehab assignment on Saturday. Bill Kostroun / New York Post The 28-year-old began the season in the rotation but lasted just one, four-inning start before his shoulder put him on the shelf.
Megill was the initial fill-in for Senga, whose right shoulder capsule strain has sidelined him since late February.
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Senga threw a bullpen session Thursday, manager Carlos Mendoza said, and is set to throw a live batting practice Monday, which will be the first time he faces hitters since sustaining the injury.
The team’s ace is not eligible to return from the 60-day injured list until May 27, and a June debut would be more likely.
Also eligible to return May 27 is David Peterson, who is building up from offseason hip surgery and could begin his own rehab assignment soon.
Kodai Senga threw a bullpen session on Thursday. Jason Szenes for the New York Post The timeline is shortened for Megill, who is on the 15-day IL.
If he stays on normal rest and adds one inning in each minor league start, he would log five innings on May 12.
Perhaps after that outing, the Mets’ decisions would begin. (It is also possible that Megill eventually transitions into relief.)
Thus far, Jose Quintana, Luis Severino and Sean Manaea have pitched well enough to continue getting starts.
Saturday starter Adrian Houser, who sometimes served as a swingman for the Brewers, owns a 7.45 ERA through the small sample of four starts.
After Megill’s injury, Jose Butto was summoned and had pitched well in three outings entering his start Friday at Citi Field, where the Mets opened a series against the Cardinals.
It is also possible that arms currently in Triple-A force their way into the picture.
Lefty Joey Lucchesi owns a 2.42 ERA after four starts with Syracuse.
Christian Scott, the organization’s top pitching prospect, has posted a 3.48 ERA with 34 strikeouts in 20 ⅔ innings with Syracuse.
There is plenty of time for the rotation options to make the Mets’ decisions simpler through injuries or several duds, but a crew that includes Megill and Senga is getting closer.
