QUEENS, NY: Another setback has effectively put an end to Kodai Senga's injury-plagued regular season. On Saturday, the right-hander left a Triple-A rehab start feeling tight in his right triceps. Senga won't be able to return before the conclusion of the season, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters, including MLB.com's Anthony DiComo.
However, because the injury isn't thought to be too significant, Mendoza said Senga might still be considered for a postseason squad should the Mets make it that far. This is Senga's second triceps-related injury of the year; the righty was out during Spring Training due to a capsule strain, which was exacerbated by another triceps issue.
Senga pitched 5 1/3 innings in his first start of the season on July 26 after bouncing back from both injuries and preparing to make his debut. However, a left calf strain forced him to return to the 60-day injured list once more.
The Mets intended for Senga's Saturday game to be his lone rehab start. Senga would either open or relieve for New York's season-ending series against the Brewers, should he return to the major leagues.
Given that plan's cancellation, it's possible that Senga may not return for the 2024 campaign. Senga's situation might become immaterial if the Mets miss the playoffs, or he might not be well enough to throw if the team doesn't make a significant run into October.
Concerns about Senga's potential effectiveness following a protracted absence and the Mets' desire to avoid risking a shaky pitcher in a crucial postseason game also need to be considered.
It is a little surprising that New York is in position to earn a wild card despite receiving almost nothing from the pitcher they considered to be their ace going into Spring Training, considering how outstanding Senga was in his debut season of 2023.
In the 2022–2023 offseason, Senga inked a five-year, $75MM free agent contract with the Mets, living up to the anticipation that surrounded his high-profile transition from Nippon Professional Baseball to the majors. Senga placed seventh in the NL Cy Young Award voting, ended second in the NL Rookie of the Year voting, and recorded a 2.98 ERA over 166 1/3 innings in 2023.
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