With the New York Mets on a roll, the return of ace Kodai Senga thrilled fans at Citi Field on Friday night against the Atlanta Braves.
But Senga's return appears to be short-lived. Manager Carlos Mendoza said the calf strain he suffered in the top of the sixth inning will likely keep him out for the rest of the 2024 season.
Senga was trying to avoid a fly ball in the infield, but his first step caused immediate pain and he grabbed his left calf.
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Kodai Senga of the New York Mets pitches during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field on July 26, 2024, in New York City. The Mets defeated the Braves 8-4. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Mendoza, who said Senga was placed on the 15-day IL, added that “it's fair to say” Senga will not return in the regular season.
Senga was not ruled out for the postseason.
“If we see him pitching, that means we're in a good position, right?” Mendoza said, via ESPN. “It's hard to put a timetable here, especially talking about a calf. These are complicated things. So, we could be looking at eight, 10 weeks before he's a big league pitcher.” [stretched out to] 85 pitches, so it's hard to predict what we'll be facing.”
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The injury came in the 31-year-old right-hander's first start of the season. Senga had been dealing with a strained posterior capsule in his right shoulder, which kept him out for the entire first half.
Senga was playing well up until the injury. His fastball was reaching 98 mph and his patented forkball had its signature late play that fooled Atlanta hitters.
Senga's final line had two earned runs on two hits and a walk, and he struck out nine batters in 5⅓ innings. The Mets won 8-4, largely because of a seven-run third inning that included three homers from Braves starter Charlie Morton.
Though Mendoza called the loss of Senga a “big blow” to the team, this Mets group has been resilient since a slow start in the first half led to this resurgence that puts them in playoff position.
Kodai Senga (34) of the New York Mets sits on the field and is checked by team personnel after being injured in the sixth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field on July 26, 2024, in New York City. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Will owner Steve Cohen push to add a starter to the rotation before MLB's July 30 trade deadline now that Senga is out?
The Mets need help in the bullpen. The group has the highest ERA in the league since May 1. Ryne Stanek was recently acquired in a trade with the Seattle Mariners and was activated Saturday, and Tylor Megill was promoted from Triple-A to presumably take Senga's spot in the rotation.
For now, Mendoza will have to rely on José Quintana, Sean Manaea, Luis Severino and David Peterson to get the job done in the starting rotation.
Kodai Senga of the New York Mets reacts after hitting a batter with a pitch during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field on July 26, 2024, in New York City. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
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It will also help if the Mets' bats, which have improved during this winning streak, can remain consistent heading into October.
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