Kodai Senga breaks out ghost pitch in Mets spring debut

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Jupiter, Fla. – This spring has been full of adjustments for Kodai Senga, who has never pitched with a pitch clock or inside a five-man rotation in the major leagues.

In his spring and stateside debut, the Mets’ right-hander showed he’s still adjusting — but demonstrated that opposing hitters will have to make some adjustments to him as well.

After a wild start, Senga used his ghost forkball to record a strikeout, hit 98.6 mph with his fastball and pitch two innings in which he drove in a run in a successful Grapefruit League debut for the Japanese star. allowed

The only hit Senga surrendered against the Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium on Sunday was a second-inning home run to Tres Barrera, who hit a hanging curveball. Senga exited after 42 pitches in which he displayed interesting raw stuff — four of his five pitches induced a swing-and-a-miss and his fastball averaged 97 mph — but with his spot also struggled

Kodai Senga made his Mets spring training debut on Sunday.
AP

Mets pitcher Kodai Senga warms up before facing the Cardinals on March 5, 2023.
Mets pitcher Kodai Senga warms up before facing the Cardinals on March 5, 2023.
AP

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Mets pitcher Kodai Senga throws during the second inning against the Cardinals on March 5, 2023.
Mets pitcher Kodai Senga throws during the second inning against the Cardinals on March 5, 2023.
AP

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Senga walked the first two batters he faced against a Cardinals lineup loaded with regulars. Only five of his first 16 pitches were strikes. But with runners on first and second, Senga induced a popup from Paul Goldschmidt and a flyout from Nolan Arenado before the Demon was tamed.

Jordan Walker became the first victim of a pitch known as the ghost forkball (but, unfortunately, registers on MLB’s Statcast as a changeup). With two strikes, Senga reverted to his signature pitch, which starts high and fades out. Walker swung at the top of the 83-mph offering. Senga did not use the pitch again.

Senga, a 30-year-old whom the Mets signed this offseason to a five-year, $75 million deal, may be the most intriguing player in camp. The righty became a superstar in Japan, where he pitched in 22 games last season in the Japan Pacific League and had a 1.94 ERA.

Starting pitchers in Japan once a week (with a high pitch count), so MLB life will know something.

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