The New York Mets have been on a winning streak, and the return of star pitcher Kodai Senga brought excitement to the fans at Citi Field Friday night as they faced the Atlanta Braves.
Unfortunately, it appears Senga’s comeback will be brief. Manager Carlos Mendoza announced that the high calf sprain he sustained during the sixth inning is expected to sideline him for the rest of the 2024 season.
Senga was attempting to avoid a pop-up when he experienced immediate pain after his initial step, reaching for 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 July 26, 2024, in New York City. The Mets won the game 8-4. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Mendoza stated that Senga has been placed on the 15-day injured list, adding that it’s “fair to say” Senga won’t be back for the regular season.
However, Senga hasn’t been ruled out for the postseason. “If we get to see him pitch, that means we’re in a good position, right?” Mendoza mentioned, according to ESPN. “It’s tough to set a timeline, especially with a calf injury. Those can be unpredictable. We might be looking at eight to 10 weeks before he’s fully stretched out to 85 pitches. So, it’s hard to say exactly what we’re facing.”
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The injury occurred during Senga’s first start of the season. He had previously been sidelined due to a right posterior shoulder capsule strain that kept him out for the entire first half.
Before the injury, Senga had been performing impressively, with his fastball hitting 98 mph and his signature forkball showcasing its characteristic late break that baffled hitters from Atlanta.
Senga’s final line featured two earned runs on two hits and one walk, with nine strikeouts across 5⅓ innings. The Mets secured the victory 8-4, thanks in large part to a seven-run third inning that included three home runs off Braves starter Charlie Morton.
While Mendoza referred to the loss of Senga as a “huge blow” for the team, this Mets squad has shown resilience, bouncing back from a sluggish start to position themselves for the playoffs.
Kodai Senga (34) of the New York Mets receives attention from team staff after sustaining an injury in the sixth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field July 26, 2024, in New York City. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
With Senga out, will owner Steve Cohen seek to add another starter to the rotation before the MLB trade deadline on July 30?
The Mets are also in need of bullpen support, as their group holds the highest ERA in the league since May 1. Recently, Ryne Stanek was acquired in a trade with the Seattle Mariners and was activated on Saturday. Meanwhile, Tylor Megill has been called up from Triple-A to fill Senga’s spot in the rotation.
For the moment, Mendoza will need to rely on Jose Quintana, Sean Manaea, Luis Severino, and David Peterson to effectively manage the starting rotation.
Kodai Senga of the New York Mets shows his frustration after hitting a batter 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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Maintaining the offensive momentum from their recent win streak will be crucial as the Mets head toward October.
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