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New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga was throwing a gem Thursday during a win over the Washington Nationals before he went down with an injury away from the mound. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said postgame that Senga will go on the IL and undergo an MRI on Friday.
Senga strained his right hamstring while covering first base for a putout in the top of the sixth inning. The right-hander had to jump to bring down a throw from first baseman Pete Alonso.
Senga made the catch and reached back with his right toe to touch the bag for the out, but then he grabbed at the back of his right leg.
Senga, now in his third season with the Mets after a lengthy NPB career in Japan, trailed past the infield dirt and into the grass, eventually tumbling to the ground in pain.
Mendoza informed reporters that Senga told him he felt something on the step before he leapt for Alonso's throw to first.
The injury interrupted the 5 2/3 scoreless innings Senga had spun. He had conceded only one hit and given up just one walk on the afternoon.
Washington staged a ninth-inning comeback yet fell one run short. New York prevailed 4-3 but at a cost.
Senga, 32, entered Thursday with a 1.59 ERA and a 2.17 strikeout-to-walk ratio over his first 12 starts this season. His record improved to 7-3 despite his mid-game exit.
Unfortunately for the international standout, he also spent time on the IL last season. Actually, Senga was out most of 2024 with a shoulder capsule strain and then a calf injury.
Senga's MRI on Friday will determine the severity of his hamstring strain and, likely, his recovery timeline.
The Mets have the best record in baseball. With Thursday's win over the Nationals, they moved to 45-24.
