Mets Pitcher Kodai Senga Likely Out for Season Due to Calf Injury

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets are facing a significant setback as pitcher Kodai Senga is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season due to a strained left calf. Senga sustained the injury during his season debut against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night, where he had previously been sidelined by a shoulder issue since early spring training. Mets manager Eduardo Mendoza indicated that Senga's injury is likely to end his season prematurely, a blow for both the player and the team, which is currently in contention for a National League wild card spot. In his first outing of the season, Senga showcased his talent by striking out nine batters over 5 1/3 innings, allowing only two runs and securing a win in an 8-4 victory. The 31-year-old right-hander had a successful first season in the majors last year, finishing with a 12-7 record and a 2.98 ERA, earning recognition as a runner-up for the NL Rookie of the Year and a spot in the Cy Young Award voting. Following the injury, the Mets placed Senga on the 15-day injured list and recalled right-hander Tylor Megill from Triple-A Syracuse. Megill was already scheduled to start against Atlanta, stepping in for rookie Christian Scott, who is also on the injured list due to an elbow injury. The Mets plan to maintain a five-man rotation moving forward, with Megill taking on a crucial role. Additionally, the Mets made roster adjustments by optioning right-hander Eric Orze to Triple-A to accommodate Ryne Stanek, acquired from the Seattle Mariners in a recent trade.