Mets' Kodai Senga set to return Friday against rival Braves

Kodai Senga spent most of last season shining for a team that was going nowhere, but now he’ll be thrust into a playoff race.

The Mets right-hander threw a workout Tuesday at Yankee Stadium and later said he was ready for Friday, when he is expected to make his season debut against the Braves at Citi Field.

“Because the team is in such a good situation, I want to be a productive member of the team and continue to push the team toward the playoffs,” Senga said through his interpreter.

Mets ace Kodai Senga, who threw a workout Tuesday at Yankee Stadium, is expected to return to the rotation Friday against the Braves. Jason Szenes for the New York Post

Senga, who began the season on the injured list after being diagnosed with a right shoulder sprain in spring training, had a tough final tuneup Sunday for Triple-A Syracuse but said he wasn’t concerned about the outing, in which he allowed five earned runs, requiring 79 pitches in three innings.

“I was really trying to figure out what I could and couldn’t do at that point,” Senga said. “But I was just trying to figure myself out. I think that was really productive.”

Senga finished second in National League Rookie of the Year voting last season after pitching to a 2.98 ERA in 29 starts with 202 strikeouts in 166 ¹/₃ innings.

“It’s been very tough, mentally and physically,” Senga said of his rehabilitation. “But now that I’m ready, I want to put all that frustration into the second half and perform.”

The Mets have signed former Gold Glove outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Syracuse.

Bradley played for Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns with the Brewers.

Bradley, 34, was playing for the independent Long Island Ducks this season.

“Another depth player,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “I’ve seen this guy play really well at this level. It’s a credit to him that he came to the independent league to stay in the game and make some adjustments. We know … he can play defense.”

Sean Reid-Foley faced hitters in live batting practice Monday and will move on to a minor league rehab appearance Thursday with Single-A Brooklyn, according to Mendoza.

The right-handed reliever has been nursing a right shoulder injury for a month.

Reed Garrett started pitching and said there was a possibility he could get on the mound this weekend.

Garrett is in rehabilitation following inflammation of his right elbow.

The Mets recalled left-handed reliever Alex Young from Syracuse to take Christian Scott’s place.

Scott was placed on the IL with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.