Sep 27, 2023; New York, NY, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga (34) drops a rosin bag during the fifth inning against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: Game Two-Miami Marlins at New York Mets
(Queens, NY) – The New York Mets starting pitching has been better-than-expected here in the season’s early going. Despite being without the rotation’s ace in Kodai Senga, the Mets team ERA entering play on Wednesday (3.43) ranked within the league’s top ten.
But fans know that if New York is going to remain relevant during the summer months, Senga will have to return to health and top form.
Early in spring training the Mets had to shut Senga down after he suffered a shoulder strain. Following rest, he’s been rehabbing and trying to ramp back up. At the start of this month, Senga played catch on back-to-back days. Manager Carlos Mendoza called that “a big deal.”
Mendoza explained at the time that “for him to go up there and play catch on back-to-back days is a pretty big step for him.” He further classified Senga’s situation as “slowly moving in the right direction,” after the right hander reported he felt good following both those throwing sessions.
Now, with the Mets calling up lefty Tyler Jay from the minors, a roster spot was needed. So Senga has been moved to the 60-day injured list. That means he doesn’t count against the 40 man roster, and the Mets can add Jay without exposing anyone to waivers. As a result of the move, Senga won’t be able to return from injury until May 27 at the earliest.
At the time of his injury, club officials said they expected Senga would be out until sometime in May or June, so it wouldn’t appear this is a “setback” of sorts. That said, it makes the Mets task even more difficult – as they will be without their best starting pitcher for around one-third of the regular season – if not longer.
