Kodai Senga, who has pitched only 5 1/3 innings in the major leagues this season, is unexpectedly starting for the New York Mets in Game 1 of the NL Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday.
Senga joined the Mets before the 2023 season with a $75 million, five-year deal and became an All-Star in his first year. He finished the season with a record of 12-7 and a 2.98 ERA over 29 starts, earning second place in the NL Rookie of the Year voting.
The 31-year-old pitcher from Japan made just one start this season due to injuries, including tightness in his right triceps. Senga was also the team’s expected No. 1 starter but missed time because of a strained left calf.
“I think if I thought it was difficult I wouldn’t be ready,” Senga said Friday through an interpreter. “So I’m ready for tomorrow.
And however much I can control my body and control how the game goes tomorrow is going to be big.”
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza mentioned that Senga is “ready to go” but did not specify how many pitches he might throw.
“We always had hopes,” Mendoza said. “But it’s been the whole year. What made us feel comfortable with this decision was he was the one that wanted the baseball.”
In their Wild Card Series, Pete Alonso hit a three-run homer off closer Devin Williams in the ninth inning on Thursday, leading the Mets to a 4-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in the deciding game.
“The rehab process has been up and down, but recently it’s definitely been turning the right direction, and to bring me to this point it’s definitely gone well,” Senga said.
