Kodai Senga expected to start season on injured list with shoulder strain

PORT ST. LUCIE – The Mets are prepared to begin the season without Kodai Senga, following an MRI exam that revealed the team’s ace has a moderate strain in his right shoulder.

Senga, according to president of baseball operations David Stearns, was diagnosed with a moderate posterior capsule strain in the shoulder.

He received testing Wednesday after he told team officials of shoulder fatigue following a bullpen session the previous day.

Kodai Senga is expected to miss Opening Day. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

Stearns said he expects Senga, who has been shut down from throwing, to begin the season on the injured list.

It’s unclear, according to Stearns, how much time the right-hander will miss.

“What I can say at this point comfortably is we don’t expect Opening Day, but I do expect him to make a bunch of starts for us this year,” Stearns said at Clover Park. “This is not a surgical type problem.”

Senga had a difficult time recovering from his initial bullpen session in camp, according to Stearns, but such fatigue isn’t uncommon in pitchers just arriving to spring training.

But when the fatigue persisted following Senga’s next session there was concern.

Kodai Senga finished second on Rookie of the Year voting last season. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

The Mets’ plan is to test their rotation depth early.

Stearns indicated that Tylor Megill, Jose Butto and Joey Lucchesi are the primary candidates to replace Senga for the start of the season.

“We knew we weren’t going to go through a full season with just five or six starters and here we are,” Stearns said. “We’ve got plenty of options. I am looking forward to watching that competition in camp and I am confident we will have guys step up.”

Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery highlight the free-agent starting pitchers still available, but Stearns downplayed the possibility of looking externally for a replacement.

“We’re always going to be opportunistic and hear what’s out there, but I don’t think this really changes our thought process,” Stearns said.

Tylor Megill may replace Kodai Senga in the Mets’ rotation. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

Senga avoided the injured list last season, when he arrived on a five-year contract worth $75 million.

At the time of his signing there was some level of concern with his elbow following a physical.

But Senga started 29 games for the Mets last season and recorded 202 strikeouts over 166 1/3 innings with a 2.98 ERA to finish second in the NL Rookie of the Year voting.

The Mets mostly pitched Senga on extra rest last season to ensure he wouldn’t be overtaxed in adjusting from Japan, where starting pitchers work only once in a week.

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

The Mets have dealt with spring training health woes the last two seasons.

Last year, Edwin Diaz underwent surgery to repair the patellar tendon in his right knee after tearing it during a celebration at the World Baseball Classic. Diaz missed the season.

Also last spring, Jose Quintana underwent rib surgery that kept him out until after the All-Star break.

In 2022, Jacob deGrom had elbow discomfort following his first Grapefruit League appearance and didn’t pitch again for the team until August.