Carlos Mendoza outlines next steps for Kodai Senga rehab as Mets prepare for Padres

The Mets are preparing for a Saturday night game in San Diego against the Padres, and manager Carlos Mendoza used the pregame window to touch on multiple threads that point to how New York wants to manage its roster this month. In particular, Mendoza addressed Kodai Senga’s rehab progression, indicating that the club is focused on identifying the right next step rather than forcing a timeline.

Senga, the Mets’ high-leverage starting pitcher at full strength, remains in a rehab process that Mendoza said is at the “next step” stage. The manager’s comments framed Senga’s return as a continuation of the same careful approach the organization has used, with an emphasis on methodical development as the right-hander closes in on more meaningful work.

Mendoza also discussed Mark Vientos’ role moving forward. Vientos has been a prominent figure in the Mets’ internal planning, and the manager’s emphasis suggested the club is continuing to define what responsibility Vientos will carry, both in day-to-day lineup construction and in the broader sense of how New York wants its offense to function as the season moves deeper.

Another subplot in Mendoza’s remarks involved Carson Benge, a Mets player who has drawn attention for his steadiness early in his major-league experience. Mendoza described Benge as “unflappable,” underscoring that the organization values temperament as much as raw production, especially when a young player is absorbing the demands of regular MLB life.

Taken together, Mendoza’s Mets notes reflect a team balancing immediate preparation with longer-range roster development. Senga’s rehab is a case study in pacing, while the comments on Vientos and Benge indicate the Mets are also looking to clarify roles so those players can sustain their contributions over a full stretch of games.

For Mets fans, the practical question is what “next step” ultimately means for Senga and when that step translates into game action. Just as important, New York will want to monitor how Mendoza uses Vientos and whether Benge’s composure continues to show up in higher-pressure at-bats and innings.

The Mets’ visit to Petco Park against the Padres provides the next clear checkpoint. Mendoza’s focus on process and role definition suggests New York will treat this series as both a competitive assignment and a roster management exercise, with decisions shaped by how the team’s players respond in real time.