At the end of last season, some Dishes suffered from persistent injuries, particularly Brandon Nimmo And Kodai Senga.
Director Carlos Mendoza and numerous players spoke to the media Saturday during the team’s Amazin’ Day event at Citi Field to discuss a number of topics, including the health of the team. With just a few weeks until they are scheduled to appear in spring training, here’s the latest on new and returning Mets players who have been injured or are nursing injuries after the 2024 season.
Brandon Nimmo and AJ Minter
Nimmo was dealing with his plantar fascitis at the end of the 2024 season. It left him hampered when hitting and playing in the outfield. The longtime Met didn’t go under the knife, instead opting for treatment and rest.
A few months later, Nimmo was in Flushing talking about his health.
“I have every intention of being (ready for opening day),” Nimmo said. “He’s responding well. I’m doing good workouts and tackling it without any problems. Now it’s just a matter of adding running.”
And then there’s the new Met, RHP AJ Minter. The former Brave went under the knife last season after undergoing season-ending left hip surgery in August.
Minter, who signed a two-year deal with the Mets this offseason, said he’s hopeful about his chances of being ready by Opening Day.
“It’s going great,” Minter said. “I’m hoping to get off the mound here soon and be ready for spring training. The goal is to be ready for Opening Day, hopefully. That being said, the hip feels really good and I I’m happy where I am.”
Kodai Senga
The Mets’ 2023 ace missed most of the regular season last year with a shoulder injury. He made only one regular season start before being shut down due to a calf strain he suffered during that start.
Mendoza is confident Senga will be ready and pitching for the Mets soon enough.
“He’s fine. He’s in Japan,” Mendoza said. “Our pitching coach Jeremy Hefner I visited Japan last week to visit him and the reports we are receiving are positive. Our trainers went there in December and visited him. I’m excited and he’s in a good place right now. »
Senga returned for the Mets’ playoff run where he pitched only five innings in three appearances (two starts).
Ronny Mauricio and Dedniel Nunez
Mauricio should be in the running for a spot in the Mets infield after spring training, especially if Pete Alonso don’t re-sign. However, the young infielder and outfielder missed all of last season due to a knee injury he suffered during the Dominican Winter League and is currently working his way back.
“(Mauricio) is following his progress in the race. We’re going to take it easy with him,” Mendoza said. “He’s a guy that missed all of last year and had some setbacks, but we like where he’s at physically. He’s doing baseball activities, he’s hitting in cages, taking ground balls, he’s pitching The running progress continues to improve but we will take our time with him at the start of camp.
The 23-year-old has appeared in 26 games for the Mets in 2023, batting .248 with two home runs, nine RBIs and seven stolen bases.
As for Nunez, the 28-year-old right-hander suffered a strained right forearm last September but is progressing well.
“(He) threw some bullpens, live BP at the Dominican Republic academy,” Mendoza said. “It was just a light take and now we’re just going to start rebuilding him again. All the reports and talking to him, he’s in the right place.”
Nunez was excellent out of the bullpen for the Mets last season. In 25 appearances, he pitched to a 2.31 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP.
