The New York Mets’ first Spring Training game will be Saturday against the St. Louis Cardinals. But the long bad-luck team is already dealing with another major injury blow.
New Mets President David Stearns told reporters in Florida that ace pitcher Kodai Senga has been diagnosed with a shoulder injury and will open the season on the injured list.
In particular, testing on Wednesday indicated that Senga has a posterior capsule strain in his right shoulder. He has been shut down from throwing. Stearns did not indicate when the ace pitcher would be able to return from the injury.
For the Mets, this spring has started out pretty much like the entire 2023 season went for the team. Star closer Edwin Diaz suffered an injury during the World Baseball Classic and missed the entire 2023 campaign.
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This could be a major blow for a Mets’ rotation that already has a ton of question markes. They took a chance on Luis Severino and Sean Manaea during the offseason. Jose Quintana is expected to be the No. 2 after missing all but 13 starts a season ago to injury.
Signed to a five-year, $75 million contract ahead of last season, Senga was the one constant in New York’s rotation as a rookie. He was great en route to earning All-Star honors.
- Kodai Senga stats (2023): 12-7 record, 2.98 ERA, 1.22 WHIP
It’s not yet known whether this will lead to the Mets being active in MLB free agency or on the trade block ahead of Opening Day. They have been linked to reigning NL Cy Young winner Blake Snell. Perhaps, this injury news changes things.