Mets Ace Kodai Senga Injured in Return Against Braves
- Kodai Senga has suffered a calf injury that will likely keep him out for the remainder of the season.
- New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed that Senga's return to the pitching rotation was cut short due to this setback.
- This injury raises concerns about the team's performance as they head towards the final games of the season.
The New York Mets celebrated the return of ace pitcher Kodai Senga during a thrilling matchup against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field on Friday night. However, the excitement quickly turned to concern when Senga suffered a left calf injury while attempting to evade a pop-up. Mets manager Buck Showalter announced that Senga has been placed on the 15-day injured list, and it is "fair to say" he may not return for the remainder of the regular season. In his first start of the season, Senga delivered an impressive performance, allowing two earned runs on two hits and one walk while striking out nine batters over 5⅓ innings. The Mets secured an 8-4 victory, largely thanks to a dominant seven-run third inning that featured three home runs off Braves starter Charlie Morton. Despite the win, the loss of Senga is viewed as a significant setback for the team. The Mets, who have shown resilience after a slow start, are now in playoff contention. With the MLB trade deadline approaching on July 30, speculation arises about whether owner Steve Cohen will seek to bolster the rotation in light of Senga's injury. The team recently acquired Ryne Stanek from the Seattle Mariners, and Tylor Megill has been called up from Triple-A to fill Senga's spot in the rotation. As the Mets aim to maintain their offensive momentum heading into October, the focus will be on both the pitching staff and the consistency of their bats during this critical stretch of the season.