Drew Smith, Kodai Senga injuries on divergent paths

NEW YORK – Two days after being placed on the 15-day injured list, Mets right-hander Drew Smith said on Friday that doctors found significant damage in his right elbow and he will get a second opinion on how serious the injury is.

Starter Kodai Senga, meanwhile, is making steady progress and could see game action as early as next week on a Minor League rehab assignment.

Smith, 30, said he started feeling pain in the elbow on June 21 while pitching against the Cubs. The next day, the elbow felt stiff and he received treatment.

Smith thought he was feeling better. When he entered the game on Sunday at Chicago, however, Smith knew the elbow was not right. He pitched two-thirds of an inning without allowing a run.

Smith can become a free agent after this season, and he was emotional when talking about his future. He has not talked to the Mets about pitching beyond 2024, but he received a supportive text message from Mets owner Steve Cohen and talked to president of baseball operations David Stearns, who also gave him words of encouragement. They both told him the team will be with him during the rehab process.

Smith pitched in 19 games this season and had a 3.06 ERA and two saves.

“It just sucks,” Smith said. “It would be my second [Tommy John surgery]. I’ve been with the Mets for a long time. I love this organization. They have done a lot for me.

“Obviously, going into free agency, it’s a tough time for this to happen. There is never a good time for it to happen, but this really stings. I love my time here. I don’t know if it’s over, but it could be.”

Senga threw his second live batting practice on Thursday in Port St. Lucie, Fla., as he works his way back from a right posterior shoulder capsule strain. The right-hander threw two innings without any problems.

Senga is expected to have a bullpen session on Sunday and then have a rehab assignment during the middle of next week. It’s not known where he will pitch, but pitching for High-A Brooklyn is possible.

Senga, who was originally diagnosed with a capsule strain in February, initially advanced to mound work in late April but began experiencing triceps tightness and nerve inflammation in that area. The Mets don’t expect him to return until after the All-Star break.

Before the injury, Senga was slated to be the Opening Day starter.

Smith is dealing with his second injury this season. He missed more than a month because of shoulder soreness.

The Mets placed Smith on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday. He had trouble getting loose after he entered in relief of Edwin Díaz on Sunday, when the latter was ejected for a sticky substance violation. Although Smith had all the time he wanted to warm up, he said he regretted rushing the process.

It was not until Wednesday, however, that Smith felt enough forearm tightness for the Mets to send him for an MRI.