Senga Named Mets’ NLDS Game One Starter
Updated Post: Oct. 4 at 4:53 p.m.
Manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters that Kodai Senga will start for the Mets in Game One of the NLDS on Saturday afternoon against the Philadelphia Phillies. Senga has not pitched in a major league game since suffering a calf strain versus the Atlanta Braves on July 26, though he’s willing to throw for as long as New York needs him.
“If they say 10 pitches, I’m all in for 10 pitches,” Senga said. “If they say 200, I’m in for 200.”
Mendoza stated that the Mets felt comfortable handing him the ball tomorrow because he was determined and anxious to get back on the mound.
“What made us feel comfortable with this decision is he was the one wanting the baseball,” Mendoza said.
Mendoza also stated that Tylor Megill and David Peterson will be available to pitch behind Senga while Luis Severino will start in Game Two on Sunday.
Original Post: Oct. 4 at 8:08 a.m.
Lost in all of the chaos of the Mets’ Wild Card Series-clinching win over the Milwaukee Brewers was news from the New York Post’s Mike Puma, who stated that the team is considering activating Kodai Senga off the injured list and placing him on the NLDS roster against the Philadelphia Phillies.
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Senga has not appeared in a regular season game since July 26 after going down with a calf strain during the outing. That also marked his only appearance of the year, as he missed the entire first half while nursing a right shoulder capsule strain that he suffered at the beginning of spring training.
The 31-year-old made a rehab start at Triple-A Syracuse on Sept. 21 and was tracking to return during the final week of the season, but he was later shut down with triceps tightness.
The Athletic’s Will Sammon reported that Senga threw a 25-pitch live bullpen session in Florida earlier this week as he gears back up. He added that the 2023 All-Star will likely only be able to go for an inning or two in the series, meaning New York is weighing whether or not it’s worth it to carry him on the roster in favor of a pitcher that could provide additional length out of the bullpen.
Sammon listed relievers Huascar Brazobán, Adam Ottavino and Danny Young as players whose spots would be in jeopardy if Senga were to join the Mets in Philadelphia on Saturday.
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