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Mets’ Kodai Senga dealt tough injury setback

Originally posted on ClutchPoints | By Matthew Schmidt | Last updated 5/20/24

New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga has been sidelined since spring training due to a shoulder injury, but he has been trying to make his way back. Unfortunately, he has been dealt a rather tough blow in his recovery.

Senga is apparently dealing with triceps tightness and did not throw his bullpen session on Sunday as a result, via Mike Puma of The New York Post.

The Mets moved Senga to the 60-day injured list in mid-April and was eligible to return on May 27. But now, with this latest setback, it’s looking like New York is going to have to wait a little longer for his 2024 debut.

Senga signed a five-year, $75 million deal with the Mets in December 2022. He was very impressive in his debut campaign, going 12-7 with a 2.98 ERA while striking out 202 batters over 166.1 innings.

New York just can’t seem to escape the doldrums this season.

The Mets currently just 21-25 and sit 12 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies for first place in the NL East. They just lost two out of three to the lowly Miami Marlins and have dropped seven of their last 10 games overall.

The Mets have more problems than just Kodai Senga’s health

New York Mets injured pitcher Kodai Senga (34) throws in the outfield before a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Obviously, getting Senga back would be huge for the Mets. He is the ace of their starting rotation, and they definitely need him if they want to have any chance of making a run at a Wild Card spot.

However, Senga is far from New York’s only issue.

The far bigger problem for the Mets is their offense. New York ranks 18th in batting average, 22nd in OPS, 17th in home runs and 16th in runs scored this season. Francisco Lindor has been an unmitigated disaster for the club, slashing just .197/.273/.355. Pete Alonso has 10 home runs, but his slash line is also rather mediocre at .229/.305/.453.

J.D. Martinez is the only Mets regular with an OPS of .800 or above this season (.825), but he has only had 101 plate appearances.

Not only that, but closer Edwin Diaz has been horrendous. He has already blown three saves—as many as he blew all of 2023—and lays claim to a 5.5o ERA. He has already surrendered five long balls across 18 frames.

As a whole, New York’s pitching staff has actually been respectable, placing 14th in the majors with a 3.99 ERA. However, the Mets pitchers have had difficulty keeping opponents off the basepaths, ranking 23rd in WHIP. At some point, that may start to reflect in their ERA.

Clearly, New York is facing a plethora of issues that won’t simply be resolved by Senga’s return.

The Mets need bats. They probably need another starting pitcher or two. They also really need to do something about the back end of their bullpen, but the problem is that Diaz is in the middle of a $102 million deal and is under contract through 2027 (the Mets have a club option on him for 2028).

If New York continues its losing ways, it may seriously need to consider selling off some pieces at the trade deadline. Names like Alonso, Martinez and Luis Severino could all draw significant interest.

This article first appeared on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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