Mets’ Kodai Senga to throw another bullpen session before call on next step

ST. LOUIS — Kodai Senga will throw a bullpen session before a decision is reached on his next step.

There was the possibility the right-hander would be thrust into a minor league rehab assignment later this week after completing a third session facing hitters over the weekend.

But Senga, according to manager Carlos Mendoza, prefers to first throw a bullpen session.

“Physically he is feeling well,” Mendoza said before the Mets faced the Cardinals at Busch Stadium. “I think it’s just more mechanics that he wants to throw a bullpen to work on some of the things he’s been working on. But as far as how he’s feeling, it’s all good news.”

Mendoza said it’s possible Senga would face hitters — over a rehab start — after throwing his bullpen session, which will occur Wednesday or Thursday.

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Senga, who was diagnosed with a shoulder strain early in spring training, won’t return to the Mets until at least early June.

Pete Alonso returned to the starting lineup a night after receiving a rest of sorts — he entered as a defensive replacement in the sixth inning.

Alonso began the day in a 1-for-30 slump.

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“He’s going to be fine,” Mendoza said. “Not so much the half-game [off], but the night before, relax, get in there the next day and watch film and get with the hitting coaches. Good players are going to go through it. He will be fine. Pete will get through it and he will carry this team pretty soon.”

Tylor Megill pitched four shutout, hitless innings for Triple-A Syracuse with seven strikeouts and one walk in his third rehab start.

The right-hander is scheduled to pitch again in a rehab start on Sunday for Syracuse, according to Mendoza.

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Drew Smith is scheduled to pitch an inning for Syracuse on Wednesday.

It will be the right-hander’s first rehab appearance since he was placed on the IL on April 27 with right shoulder soreness.

Mendoza wasn’t sure if he would have Edwin Diaz available on Tuesday for potential closing duty for a third straight day.

Diaz rebounded on Monday to work a perfect ninth inning in preserving a 4-3 Mets victory a day after blowing his first save since June 2022.

“We’re trying to protect all of them,” Mendoza said, referring to the relievers. “It’s nice to have that type of versatility when you don’t have Diaz, there’s a lot of guys that have closed before.”

Those options include Jorge Lopez, Adam Ottavino and Jake Diekman, in addition to Reed Garrett, who has pitched in high-leverage spots this season.

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