Rotation Arms Returning, Bats Heating Up: Mets Rehab Roundup Shows Life on the Way
The Mets are poised to get major reinforcements before and shortly after the All-Star break, with Kodai Senga, Sean Manaea, Jesse Winker, and Francisco Alvarez all trending up. Rotation stability is near, DH power is on deck, and the franchise catcher might be next.
Kodai Senga Feeling Good, Likely to Start in Kansas City
For the first time since straining his right hamstring on June 12, Kodai Senga was back on a mound Saturday with Double-A Binghamton—and the radar is now firmly pointed toward Kansas City.
Senga threw 68 pitches across 3.2 innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits with four strikeouts and two walks. Results aside, the key takeaway is that he came out clean. No physical issues, no setbacks, and most importantly, a green light to potentially return by Friday or Saturday.
Kodai Senga’s final line for Double-A Binghamton tonight:
3.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R (3 ER), 2 BB, 4 K (68 pitches) pic.twitter.com/ENKbMGtCfd
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) July 5, 2025
“Good, he physically feels fine,” said manager Carlos Mendoza. “Hopefully he’s making a start for us next time.”
The Mets had originally expected Senga back after the All-Star break. So to have him in play now, with a chance to face the Royals before the break, is a massive swing.
“Yeah, huge,” Mendoza said. “We saw it when he went down, how hard it was for us. He’s a big part of this team, he’s a big part of the rotation.” Before the injury, Senga was 7-3 with a 1.47 ERA in 13 starts—a frontline force whose return brings instant legitimacy to a patchworked rotation.
Sean Manaea Still on Track to Rejoin Mets This Week
Sean Manaea will make one final rehab start Tuesday for Triple-A Syracuse, and if all goes well, he’s expected to rejoin the Mets during the Kansas City series.
“Hopefully he’s a player for us toward the end of the next road trip,” Mendoza said. “He’s pitching Tuesday, we’ll see how he comes out of that one and then we have a decision there.”
“As of right now, I feel good. Hopefully, the next step is a big league mound.”
Sean Manaea talks about his rehab outing tonight and the next steps in his recovery: pic.twitter.com/rsmp5uZDBC
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) July 3, 2025
Manaea has battled both oblique soreness and left elbow inflammation—the latter of which was treated with a cortisone shot after imaging revealed a loose body. That delayed him slightly, but he returned to pitch last week for Double-A Binghamton, tossing 60 pitches (39 strikes) over three-plus innings. He allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits, one walk, and struck out three.
It’ll be his sixth rehab outing Tuesday, and likely his last. His return would bring experience and consistency to a staff that’s been wounded by recent injuries, and could really use longevity.
Jesse Winker Could Be Back Tuesday
After five rehab games across three affiliates, Jesse Winker is knocking on the door.
Out since May 4 with a right oblique strain, Winker completed his most recent rehab game Sunday in Syracuse, going 1-for-3 with a home run, 2 RBI, and 2 BB while batting second and serving as DH. It was the perfect cherry on top of a stellar week for the lefty-bat, who looked more than ready to rejoin the major league club in Baltimore this week.
Jesse Winker hit this to Queens! pic.twitter.com/hojV3vZRdd
— Syracuse Mets (@SyracuseMets) July 6, 2025
Before joining the S’Mets this weekend, Winker went 3-for-7 with another home run, double, five RBI, three walks, and two runs scored between High-A Brooklyn and Double-A Binghamton. He’s made consistent hard contact, run the bases with aggression, and shown no hesitation in the basepaths or at the plate.
Carlos Mendoza says the Mets will check in on Jesse Winker after his rehab game today to see if there’s a chance for him to be activated on Tuesday: pic.twitter.com/O4zz3Lg5tL
— SNY (@SNYtv) July 6, 2025
“Got all the at-bats, he’s got one more today,” Mendoza said before Sunday’s game. “We’ll check with him after the game and see if there’s a chance for him to be active Tuesday.”
Winker was batting .239 with a home run, 10 RBI, and with plenty of XBH in 24 MLB games before landing on the IL, and he’d firmly cemented himself as the Mets’ primary DH against righties. With the offense scuffling and the bench thin, his return can’t come soon enough.
Francisco Alvarez Finding His Swing —and His Power—in Syracuse
After struggling through an injury-riddled first half, Francisco Alvarez is finally starting to look like himself again—and the power looks officially back.
Francisco Alvarez with the opposite-field power to put us on top! 💪💪💪 pic.twitter.com/n98Q7KuxQ4
— Syracuse Mets (@SyracuseMets) July 5, 2025
On Saturday, Alvarez opened the game with a two-run opposite-field home run off Worcester — his fourth homer since being optioned to Triple-A in late June and his first at home inside NBT Bank Stadium. That blast followed a stretch where Alvarez homered in three consecutive games, including two in Rochester and one in the series opener at Worcester.
Francisco Alvarez puts us in front!
It’s Alvy’s third straight game with a home run! pic.twitter.com/JS9A51LbO7
— Syracuse Mets (@SyracuseMets) July 2, 2025
Since being sent down, Alvarez has rediscovered his power stroke. He’s slashing just .231 in seven games, but his .462 slugging percentage in that span is a major step in the right direction.
His 2025 began late due to a fractured hamate bone, and by June 22, the Mets decided some time spent in Syracuse could realign things for Alvarez. At the time of his demotion, he had a .236/.319/.333 line, his timing looked off, and his usual confidence wasn’t there. But things are starting to click—and the timing couldn’t be better.
Alvarez still projects as the franchise catcher—and now with the bat waking up, the calls to bring him back are only getting louder.
Looking Up and Ahead
With Senga and Manaea likely lined up to start this weekend in Kansas City, Winker potentially activated as soon as Tuesday, and Alvarez showing real signs of life in Syracuse, the Mets are close to regaining some serious firepower, and the club finally looks ready to turn the tide.
For a team trying to keep its footing in the NL East, this wave of reinforcements couldn’t arrive at a better time.
