Kodai Senga Joins New York Mets Great With Rookie Milestone

Kodai Senga joined this New York Mets great with a rookie milestone.

Pat Ragazzo | Sep 27, 2023

Kodai Senga Joins New York Mets Great With Rookie Milestone /

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New York Mets

He is in good company.

New York Mets rookie starting pitcher Kodai Senga has been one of the few bright spots in a disappointing season.

On Wednesday, Senga notched his 200th strikeout of the season while facing the Miami Marlins in Game 2 of the Mets' doubleheader.

Senga became just the second Mets rookie to accomplish this feat, joining Dwight "Doc" Gooden, who had 276 punch outs in 1984.

In what was his final start of a stellar rookie campaign, Senga finished with 202 strikeouts, a 12-7 record and a 2.98 ERA across 29 starts (166.1 innings).

The Mets signed Senga to a five-year, $75 million contract out of Japan in the offseason.

In year-one, the 30-year-old shattered all expectations and pitched like an ace for the Mets.

The Mets can only hope that he can build off what was a spectacular first season in Queens.

Published Sep 27, 2023

PAT RAGAZZO

Pat Ragazzo is the reporter, publisher, site manager and executive editor for Sports Illustrated's Mets and Yankees On SI websites. Pat was selected as The Top Reporter & Publisher of the Year 2024 by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP) for outstanding leadership, dedication, and commitment to the industry. He has been seen on several major TV Network stations including: NBC4, CBS2, FOX5, PIX11 and NY1; and is frequently heard on ESPN New York FM 880 AM and WFAN Sports Radio 101.9 FM as a guest. Pat also serves as the Mets insider for the "Allow Me 2 Be Frank" podcast hosted by Frank "The Tank" Fleming of Barstool Sports. You can follow him on Twitter/X: @ragazzoreport.