The Mets are dealing with off in opposition to the Phillies within the Nationwide League Division Sequence, with the primary recreation set for Saturday afternoon. Supervisor Carlos Mendoza advised reporters at this time that right-hander Kodai Senga will begin that first recreation for the Mets. Mike Puma of The New York Put up was amongst these to relay the information on X.
The Mets have acquired near nothing from Senga this yr. He suffered a capsule pressure in his throwing shoulder in Spring Coaching, which saved him on the injured record for months. He was reinstated off the injured record and made his season debut on July 26, however was faraway from that recreation after 5 1/3 innings on account of a calf pressure and went proper again on the IL. He tried to return late within the common season however was slowed by some triceps soreness.
That lack of manufacturing from Senga was a blow to the Mets. He made his main league debut in 2023 and tossed 166 1/3 innings with a 2.98 earned run common. His 11.1% stroll charge was on the excessive aspect however he struck out 29.1% of batters confronted and obtained grounders at a 44.7% clip. Regardless of that, the Mets managed to squeak into the postseason after which defeat the Brewers within the Wild Card collection whereas Senga remained on the IL.
Yesterday, Will Sammon of Athletic reported that the Mets had been contemplating Senga for his or her NLDS roster. Now plainly the righty is not going to solely get a roster spot however will take the ball to get the collection began.
The query can be what the Mets can anticipate from Senga after a lot day without work. Per Sammon’s report, he lately threw a 25-pitch bullpen session however will in all probability be restricted to a brief outing, so maybe this can be Senga appearing extra as an opener than a real starter within the classically understood sense. “We’ll see,” Mendoza mentioned at this time when requested about how lengthy Senga can go, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com on X. “We’re going to let it play out.”
The Mets have needed to get inventive with their pitching employees these days. Two of their video games in opposition to Atlanta within the ultimate week of the common season had been delayed by Hurricane Helene. Whereas 28 of the 30 golf equipment within the league had the time without work on Monday, these two golf equipment needed to play a double-header as every nonetheless wanted a victory to get into the playoffs. The Mets gained the primary recreation in an 8-7 thriller, utilizing Tylor Megill because the starter after which 4 relievers, together with nearer Edwin Díaz throwing 40 pitchers as he obtained the ultimate 5 outs.
With their playoff spot secured, they used Joey Lucchesi and two relievers to get by way of the second recreation of the dual invoice, however then they needed to begin their collection in Milwaukee the very subsequent day. Luis Severino began the primary recreation, Sean Manaea the second and Jose Quintana the third. To get by way of final evening’s recreation, Díaz threw one other 39 pitches whereas once more getting 5 outs and starter David Peterson additionally tossed an inning of reduction.
Not one of the membership’s entrance three of Severino, Manaea or Quintana can be accessible on common relaxation for Saturday’s first recreation in opposition to Philadelphia. Megill can be an choice to take some bulk innings, however he was left off the Wild Card roster since he wasn’t going to be accessible for these contests. If each Senga and Megill are to be added, the Mets must open two spots by leaving off a few guys that had been current of the Wild Card spherical. Peterson might maybe be an alternative choice for bulk innings, as he tossed seven innings as lately as September 29.
The total roster choices don’t need to be publicly introduced till Saturday morning. Senga is on the 60-day IL and can have to be added again onto the 40-man roster, however the Mets might simply open a spot by transferring Paul Blackburn or Dedniel Núñez onto the 60-day IL. The Phillies have introduced that Zack Wheeler will begin recreation one, adopted by Cristopher Sánchez in recreation two.
