Surprise! Mets name Kodai Senga starting pitcher for NLDS Game 1 vs. Phillies

The New York Mets announced an unexpected starting pitcher for Game 1 of their National League division series vs. the Philadelphia Phillies.

Kodai Senga will get the starting nod in Saturday’s opener, manager Carlos Mendoza announced Friday. What makes the choice surprising is that the right-hander made only one start for the Mets during the regular season due to a variety of injuries.

Senga, 31, signed a five-year, $75 million contract with the Mets before the 2023 season and was an All-Star in his first campaign with the team. He made 29 starts with a 2.98 ERA and 202 strikeouts in 166 1/3 innings in 2023.

However, he hurt his right shoulder during spring training, then developed issues with his mechanics while recovering and rehabilitating from the injury. That resulted in triceps discomfort and nerve inflammation that further delayed his return.

During his first start of the season on July 26 versus the Atlanta Braves, Senga strained his calf and had to leave the game. To that point, he had struck out nine batters in 5 1/3 innings while allowing two runs and two hits.

The calf injury put him on the 60-day injured list, where he has been ever since. The Mets hoped Senga would be able to make an appearance before the end of the regular season, but issues with his triceps developed again and prevented that from happening.

Senga reportedly approached the Mets about pitching in this series, which is what convinced Mendoza to give him the start. The pitcher said he felt healthy and strong enough to go after throwing a 25-pitch live batting practice session earlier in the week and not experiencing any discomfort afterward.

Considering how little he has pitched this year, Senga can’t be expected to pitch many innings on Saturday. Mendoza wouldn’t reveal a pitch count or innings limit, but it’s difficult to imagine Senga throwing more than two innings.

The Mets are expected to have starters David Peterson and Tylor Megill ready to pitch behind Senga, in addition to a fully available bullpen. That should allow Mendoza to start Luis Severino, Sean Manaea and Jose Quintana later in the series and extend the rotation through a best-of-five matchup.