The roller coaster ride that has been the New York Mets’ 2024 season took another twist involving their star pitcher, Kodai Senga. Inflammation in his triceps is merely the latest setback for Senga, who has been out since spring training with a shoulder strain. This injury clouds everything about his return, leaving the Mets searching for answers on the mound.

Senga’s absence has already been felt deeply by the team. Coming off of a promising rookie season in which he posted a 2.98 ERA with 202 strikeouts, Senga was expected to be a major part of the Mets’ rotation. He hurt himself in spring training, but the team remained hopeful that he would be back eventually.

But hopes have now been dampened by results from an MRI that showed nerve inflammation in his triceps. The inflammation was discovered after Kodai Senga reported discomfort and skipped a bullpen session; it will require a cortisone shot and three-to-five days of shutdown before he can even begin throwing again. Once he starts throwing, it’ll be at least another month’s rehab assignment before he could be considered for a spot in New York’s rotation.

This setback is particularly frustrating for both Senga and the Mets, as he has been making progress in his recovery. He had recently focused on improving his mechanics and was close to beginning a minor league rehab assignment before this latest hurdle.

The Mets’ manager, Carlos Mendoza, acknowledged the challenges ahead for Kodai Senga. “We knew from the beginning it was going to take time,” he said before the Mets’ recent 7-8 loss to the San Francisco Giants. “The good thing is we were able to look at his shoulder and elbow to make sure we were not missing anything and it was just inflammation.”

While the Mets remain hopeful that the inflammation is minor, the reality is that Senga’s absence is putting a strain on the team’s pitching staff. The rotation has struggled at times, and the loss of their ace has only exacerbated those issues.

Mets are scrambling for solutions in Kodai Senga’s absence

The New York Mets are considering other possibilities to fill the gap left by Senga. One of the choices is David Peterson, who has been out since surgery in the offseason. Peterson recently made a rehab start for Triple-A Syracuse, allowing seven hits and two earned runs over four innings. If he doesn’t have any setbacks, the Mets will need to decide on his next step.

Another option they have is Adrian Houser, who has not been doing well during his latest appearances as a starter. In seven starts so far this season, Houser owns an 8.55 ERA, and it might be worth thinking about putting him back into the bullpen, where he has had more success.

Kodai Senga’s injury is a reminder of the fragility of baseball careers and the unpredictable nature of the sport. The Mets can only hope that their star pitcher can overcome this latest setback and return to the mound soon. In the meantime, they must find a way to weather the storm and keep their playoff hopes alive.