Mets Kodai Senga is convinced his injury issues are behind him

PORT ST.LUCIE — Kodai Senga spent part of his winter at home in Japan in rehab mode, with the goal of arriving at spring training ready for a normal buildup toward the season.On that count, the Mets right-hander is confident he succeeded.

Senga on Tuesday said he’s been “normal and healthy” since early January after missing almost all of last season with multiple ailments.“I am not worried at all,” Senga said through his interpreter.“I just need to ramp up slowly and get through spring training healthy and pitching a lot of innings so we can go deep into the postseason.”Senga said there’s been an element of discovery for him this winter.“This offseason has been really great in terms of evaluating what types of movements I need and don’t need,” he said.

“I have been able to work on that and I feel really good up to this point.I just need to ramp up slowly.”Last year, Senga arrived at camp looking to build from a strong rookie season in which he pitched to a 2.98 ERA with 202 strikeouts in 166 ²/₃ innings.

But Senga was diagnosed with a shoulder strain early in spring training and opened the season on the injured list.After a setback in his rehab, Senga finally pitched for the Mets on July 26.In that start against the Braves, he got into the sixth inning, but before he could complete his outing strained his left calf while moving off the mound on a pop-up.Senga’s season appeared over, but the Mets’ deep run into October allowed him the opportunity for a comeback.Senga pitched against the Phillies in the NLDS and Dodgers in the NLCS.

In his three appearances, he posted a 12.60 ERA.Senga doesn’t regret that he gave it a try, even on less than a full rehab.“I felt good,” he said.“I felt ready to throw at the time.”Senga added: “I am glad that I was able to play there.

I am grateful that they called on me and I was able to get in there.It’s something that the whole team looks forward to and works toward for the entire...