New York Mets' Ace Likely Out Through All of April with Shoulder Injury

New York Mets' Kodai Senga is likely out through all of April after being shut down with shoulder issues. Here's the latest.

Update, 12:45 p.m. ET (2/25): Senga is being shut down for three weeks and is likely to miss at least the first month of the season.

Per Dicomo on social media:

Kodai Senga update: he received a PRP injection in his shoulder in New York. His shutdown period should last three weeks before he restarts a throwing program.

The Mets aren't committing to a timeline for Senga, but if you do the math -- a three-week shutdown plus a standard six-week spring training buildup -- it appears implausible that he'll pitch before the very end of April in an absolute best-case scenario. May is more likely.

The Mets aren't committing to a timeline for Senga, but if you do the math -- a three-week shutdown plus a standard six-week spring training buildup -- it appears implausible that he'll pitch before the very end of April in an absolute best-case scenario. May is more likely.

— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) February 25, 2024

Feb 22: A day after learning that he was dealing with "arm fatigue," New York Mets ace Kodai Senga is set to be shut down for the foreseeable future with a moderate shoulder strain.

Per Anthony Dicomo of MLB.com:

Kodai Senga has a moderate right posterior capsule strain in his shoulder, David Stearns said.

The Mets plan to shut down Senga until his symptoms subside. They do not expect him to be ready for Opening Day, but an exact timeline is not currently clear.

The Mets plan to shut down Senga until his symptoms subside. They do not expect him to be ready for Opening Day, but an exact timeline is not currently clear.

— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) February 22, 2024

This is just disastrous news for both the Mets and Senga. Firstly, the Mets figure to be the fourth-best team in the National League East as it is, they can hardly afford injuries to their stars. After trading away Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer a season ago, Senga was set to become the organizational ace in his second year with the team.

In his absence, the team will look to Adrian Houser, Tylor Megill or Jose Butto in all likelihood.

Senga came over to the Mets a season ago after a lengthy career in Japan and paid immediate dividends. The 31-year-old made 29 starts and was named an All-Star in the National League. He finished 12-7 with a 2.98 ERA, placing second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting and seventh in the Cy Young race.

Senga is not the only key pitcher around baseball who is set to begin the year on the shelf: Baltimore Orioles' righty Kyle Bradish has a UCL issue and also will be on the injured list at the outset.

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