Mets RHP Kodai Senga won't return before All-Star break

New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Saturday that there isn't an established timeline for the projected return of injured right-hander Kodai Senga.

In fact, Mendoza said "it is fair to say" that Senga likely won't make his season debut until after the All-Star break -- and that's five weeks away.

Senga, 31, began the season on the injured list due to a capsule strain in his pitching shoulder. He was transferred to the 60-day injured list on April 10, and his recovery has been slowed by a setback last month.

"I wish I could tell you," Mendoza said of when Senga will return. "But it's gonna be day to day, especially after he starts throwing bullpens and how he's gonna bounce back after those sessions and then we continue the progressions.

"But as of right now, it's still hard to put a timetable."

Senga was an 11-year pro in Japan before agreeing to a five-year, $75 million contract with the Mets in 2022.

He was an All-Star and finished second in National League Rookie of the Year voting last year after going 12-7 with a 2.98 ERA in 29 starts. He threw 166 1/3 innings and recorded 202 strikeouts and 77 walks.

--Field Level Media