Kodai Senga’s first begin of the 2024 season was reduce quick by damage, and the Mets introduced right this moment that the right-hander has been positioned on the 15-day injured checklist as a consequence of a left calf pressure. Righty Eric Orze was additionally optioned to Triple-A Syracuse, and the 2 roster spots can be stuffed by Tylor Megill (known as up from Triple-A) and new arrival Ryne Stanek (acquired yesterday in a commerce with the Mariners).
After struggling a capsule pressure in his shoulder throughout Spring Coaching, Senga’s restoration was delayed by some mechanical changes after which a triceps damage, pushing his season debut again to final evening’s sport towards the Braves. Regardless of the lengthy layoff, Senga was wanting sharp, and completed the beginning with two earned runs on two hits and a stroll over 5 1/3 innings of labor. Sadly, that last out of Senga’s begin noticed the righty fall to the bottom whereas leaving the mound throughout an Austin Riley pop-up, and Senga very gingerly walked off the sector after consulting with workforce trainers.
Senga was scheduled to endure an MRI right this moment, and the outcomes of that scan have now led to this instant placement on the 15-day IL. Extra particulars on the severity of the pressure will probably be revealed later right this moment, although from the admittedly non-scientific methodology of wanting on the apparent ache on Senga’s face within the aftermath of the damage, one would suspect he’ll be lacking longer than simply 15 days. Relying on the character of the pressure, it isn’t out of the query that Senga’s season might be in jeopardy.
Even when Senga is ready to pitch once more in 2024, the calf pressure is one other brutal setback in what has been a irritating sophomore season for the righty in Main League Baseball. The longtime NPB star got here to the majors with a lot fanfare when he signed a five-year, $75MM free agent take care of New York throughout the 2022-23 offseason, and instantly delivered on the hype by posting a 2.98 ERA over 166 1/3 innings in 2023. Amidst an in any other case massively disappointing season for the Mets, Senga’s fast affect at the very least offered some hope that the franchise may have the ability to flip issues round in comparatively quick order.
Sarcastically, the Mets have certainly gotten on observe this yr, besides with nearly no contributions from Senga aside from Friday’s begin. The rotation has been one thing of a weak hyperlink normally as a consequence of accidents, although the group of Sean Manaea, Luis Severino, and Jose Quintana have been stable if unspectacular. Senga’s return was supposed so as to add an ace alongside that trio, however New York has now been bit once more by the damage bug, between Senga’s calf pressure and Christian Scott’s UCL pressure.
Megill or Jose Butto might get one other look within the rotation with Senga out, as Adrian Houser might be now not an choice after being designated for task earlier this week. With the Mets more and more wanting like official contenders, the commerce deadline presents an apparent route for the Amazins to carry a brand new starter into the fold, although naturally such offers are troublesome to seek out. Any new pitchers will add to New York’s already immense luxurious tax invoice, and president of baseball operations David Stearns may not be too eager on buying and selling important expertise from the farm system.
