Inside The Mets

Mets' Ace Won't Return in Regular Season After Suffering Setback

The New York Mets won't be getting their ace back in the regular season after he suffered a setback in his rehab outing.

Pat Ragazzo

Apr 12, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets injured starting pitcher Kodai Senga watches from the dugout during the ninth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Apr 12, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets injured starting pitcher Kodai Senga watches from the dugout during the ninth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images / Brad Penner-Imagn Images
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The New York Mets won't be getting their ace back in the regular season after all.

As manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters on Sunday, starting pitcher Kodai Senga felt triceps tightness in his rehab start on Saturday.

Senga went just one inning in his rehab outing for Triple-A Syracuse, throwing 15 pitches and striking out two batters. Syracuse's offense scored eight runs in the bottom half of the first inning, which was initially believed to be the reason why Senga, whose pitch count was set at 30-35, did not go out for the second inning given the extended time between frames.

As it turns out, the right-hander was dealing with triceps tightness. And although Mendoza said Senga felt like he could've pitched through it, the hurler did not want to push things.

Senga will continue to throw, but Mendoza revealed "it's safe to say" he won't be an option for the Mets in the regular season.

As far as his potential availability for the postseason is concerned, Senga would have to go through a number of steps including live BP. At this point, Senga's return in October appears to be murky as well.

The Mets were hoping Senga could start in their series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, September 27. While Senga wouldn't have been fully stretched out, New York could've piggybacked a long reliever behind him.

It has been a rough season for Senga, who was the runner-up for NL Rookie of the Year in 2023. The 31-year-old missed the first four months of the regular season due to a shoulder strain and then a setback of triceps inflammation in May, which further delayed his arrival.

Senga's lone start of the year came on July 26 against the Atlanta Braves, where he went 5.1 innings and struck out nine batters, but suffered a high-grade calf strain.

The Mets were hoping to get their ace back in the final week of the regular season to help them lockdown a spot in the postseason. Unfortunately, that won't happen now due to his triceps tightness that popped up.

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Pat Ragazzo

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.

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