At the end of last season, some Mets were dealing with lingering injuries, especially Brandon Nimmo and Kodai Senga.
Manager Carlos Mendoza and many players spoke with the media Saturday at the team’s Amazin’ Day event at Citi Field to talk on a number of topics including the health of the team. With only a few weeks left before they report to spring training, here’s the latest on new and returning Mets players who were injured or nursing injuries after the 2024 season.
Brandon Nimmo and A.J. Minter
Nimmo was managing his plantar fascitis at the end of the 2024 season. It left him hobbled when he hit and played in the outfield. The longtime Met did not go under the knife but instead opted for treatment and rest.
A few months later, Nimmo was in Flushing and spoke about his health.
“I fully plan to be [ready for Opening Day],” Nimmo said. “It’s responding well. I’m having good workouts and I’m hitting on it and not getting any issues from it. Now, it’s just adding in the running.”
And then there’s the newest Met, RHP A.J. Minter. The former Brave did go under the knife last season after he underwent season-ending left hip surgery in August.
Minter, who signed a two-year deal with the Mets this offseason, said he was hopeful about his chances of being ready by Opening Day.
“Doing great,” Minter said. “Hopefully get off the mound here soon and be ready for spring training. The goal is to be ready for Opening Day hopefully. With that being said, the hip feels really good and I’m happy where I am.”
Kodai Senga
The Mets’ ace in 2023 missed most of the regular season last year with his shoulder strain. He made just one start in the regular season before he was shut down due to the calf strain he suffered in that start.
Mendoza is positive Senga will be ready and pitching for the Mets soon enough.
“He’s doing well. He’s in Japan,” Mendoza said. “Our pitching coach Jeremy Hefner made a visit this past week in Japan to visit him and the reports that we’re getting are positive. Our trainers went out there in December and visited him. I’m excited and he’s in a good spot right now.”
Senga did return for the Mets’ playoff run where he pitched just five innings over three appearances (two starts).
Ronny Mauricio and Dedniel Nunez
Mauricio is slated to be in the mix for a spot in the Mets’ infield out of spring training, especially if Pete Alonso doesn’t re-sign. However, the young infielder/outfielder missed all last season with a knee injury he suffered in the Dominican Winter League and is working his way back.
“[Mauricio’s] going through his running progression. We’re going to take it slow with him,” Mendoza said. “This is a guy that missed the whole year last year and had some setbacks but we like where he’s at physically. He’s doing baseball activities, he’s hitting in the cages, taking groundballs, he’s throwing. The running progression continues to get better but we’ll take our time with him at the beginning of camp.”
The 23-year-old appeared in 26 games for the Mets in 2023 where he batted .248 with two home runs, nine RBI and stealing seven bases.
As for Nunez, the 28-year-old right-hander suffered a right forearm strain last September but is progressing well.
“[He] threw some bullpens, live BP down at the academy in the Dominican Republic,” Mendoza said. “It was just light catch and now we’re just going to start building him up again. All the reports and talking to him, he’s in a good place.”
Nunez was great out of the bullpen for the Mets last season. In 25 appearances, he pitched to a 2.31 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP.
