Mets' Kodai Senga expected to begin rehab assignment this weekend

According to Carlos Mendoza, starting pitcher Kodai Senga could return before the All-Star break if all goes well.

Jun 12, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga (34) follows through on a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the third inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Ever since Kodai Senga went down with a hamstring injury, the New York Mets have struggled mightily.

But the club just snapped a four-game losing streak, and now has some positive news about their rehabbing starter.

Ahead of the series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers, manager Carlos Mendoza revealed that the goal is for Senga to begin a rehab assignment for Double-A Binghamton over the weekend. He added that the right-hander could be "in play" for the team before the All-Star break.

Carlos Mendoza says that the goal is for Kodai Senga to pitch for Double-A Binghamton this weekend.

Mendoza also says that Senga could be "in play" for the Mets before the All-Star break: pic.twitter.com/2bX7Tr2Uhq

— SNY (@SNYtv) July 3, 2025

The news comes just hours after the Mets announced that Paul Blackburn was headed to the 15-day injured list with a shoulder impingement, adding him to the laundry list of injured starters that includes Tylor Megill, Griffin Canning (out for the season), and Sean Manaea (currently working his way back). This latest injury makes the need for Senga's return even more dire.

Read More: Mets manager gives positive update on Kodai Senga's rehab status

New York will likely still need to deploy a spot starter in this weekend's Subway Series, but the possibility of Senga rejoining the roster after just one rehab outing allows the club to avoid calling up one of their top pitching prospects for the start, which David Stearns admitted "wasn't his preference."

David Stearns was asked if he would consider calling up one of the Mets' top pitching prospects for a spot start:

"My preference is to not bring up a top prospect for a spot start." pic.twitter.com/A6bfUUFg8H

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) July 3, 2025

Senga was the Mets' best and most reliable starter before his injury, acting as a true ace. In his 13 starts, the righty held an impressive 1.47 ERA and had a 7-3 record.

Read More: How Mets pitcher Sean Manaea fared in latest rehab outing

With both Senga and Manaea set to return around the same time, the Mets will have a good chance to break out of their recent funk behind their top arms and regain first place in the NL East.