The New York Mets are going to need Kodai Senga to perform like he did in 2023 if they have a hope of returning to the NLCS. While this was most likely the case before spring training, it certainly has become so after starters Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas went down with relatively severe injuries.

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — The Mets and Kodai Senga have struck a compromise. Senga wanted to see some Grapefruit League action already. The Mets have been hesitant with a pitcher who battled injuries all of last season, beginning with a spring capsule strain in his shoulder, and have limited him thus far to bullpen sessions and live batting practices.

Senga also worked on a tweaked slider that induced a violent whiff on a strikeout from Otto Lopez. Of his 31 pitches, 20 were strikes. He touched 96 mph with his four-seam fastball.

Kranick added a sweeper and velocity to his fastball while working with Mets assistant pitching coordinator Grayson Crawford.

Minor-league option aside, Max Kranick is making it awfully difficult for the New York Mets to consider anyone else for the final Opening Day roster spot in the bullpen. The right-hander has been a revelation,

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Max Kranick might be the best Mets reliever you’ve never heard of. Of course, if you follow the Mets closely, you might have heard about the right-hander last spring when he came into camp with his favorite childhood team for the first time.