Kodai Senga breaks out ghost pitch in Mets spring debut

JUPITER, Fla. — This spring is filled with adjustments for Kodai Senga, who has never pitched in the major leagues, with a pitch clock or within a five-man rotation.

In his spring and stateside debut, the Mets right-hander showed he is still adjusting — but demonstrated that opposing hitters would have to do some adjusting to him, too.

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

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

Kodai Senga made his Mets spring training debut on Sunday.
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 filled with regulars. Of his first 16 pitches, just five were strikes. But with runners on first and second, Senga induced a popup from Paul Goldschmidt and a flyout from Nolan Arenado before he conjured the ghost.

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 turned to his signature pitch, which starts high and disappears. Walker swung over the top of the 83-mph offering. Senga did not use the pitch again.

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

Starting pitchers in Japan pitch once a week (with higher pitch counts), so MLB life will take some figuring out.

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