Jul 26, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga (34) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Kodai Senga hurt his shoulder and triceps in Spring Training and missed the entire first half of the season for the Mets.
He returned on July 26th in a start against the Atlanta Braves. He looked solid, throwing 5 1/3 innings and striking out nine while allowing two runs.
But in that sixth inning, he had a sever calf strain while delivering a pitch and didn't pitch in a game the rest of the season.
Kodai Senga @Mets was Box-Toppers Player of the Game Friday in likely his only appearance of 2024 (5.1IP 2H 2R BB 9K W vs. ATL).
It was his 1st game of 2024, returning from IL (shoulder). He suffered calf strain Friday & is now out for regular season.https://t.co/0pfAzM8I7b pic.twitter.com/NkPvQ9tC1O
But the Mets are going to turn to him against the Phillies on Saturday in Game 1 of the NLDS.
New York manager Carlos Mendoza wouldn't say how long Senga would go in the start, but the Mets have two possible piggyback options behind him.
Kodai Senga is starting Game 1 of the NLDS tomorrow for the Mets pic.twitter.com/nFOjRRdIKK
RHP Tylor Megill, who many assumed would be the Game 1 starter, is one option. LHP David Peterson, who closed Game 3 of the Wild Card series in Milwaukee for the Mets is another. Peterson threw only eight pitches on Thursday, so he would probably be good for 2-3 innings if needed.
Senga was the Mets ace in 2023. He went 12-7 with a 2.98 ERA in 166 1/3 innings.
He made two starts in 2023 against the Phillies. The first, in New York, he was dominant, baffling the Phillies with his "ghost" forkball over seven shutout innings. He allowed just one hit and struck out nine in a 2-0 Mets win.
Kodai Senga on May 30, 2023 against the Phillies:
7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 K
The best start of his career up to that point 👻 pic.twitter.com/WkH5fnMjc5
The Phillies fared better against him in a second meeting in Philadelphia three weeks later. Senga lasted just 5 1/3 innings and allowed four runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks. He still struck out six.
