Kodai Senga felt arm fatigue after his throwing session earlier this week, and David Stearns told reporters on Thursday that the Mets ace has a "moderate right posterior capsule strain" in his shoulder.
The injury leaves Senga shut down until his symptoms diminish, and New York doesn't expect the righty to be ready for Opening Day. Stearns did not dive into a timetable for a return to game action, but added that he is hopeful to see Senga post for a good amount of the season.
"I do expect him to make a bunch of starts for us this year," Stearns said.
The strain on the back of his shoulder, marks the second straight season that the Mets will be dealing with injuries to top starting pitchers to begin the season, as Justin Verlander began the 2023 season on the IL with a muscle strain.
Senga was an All-Star in his rookie season with the Mets, pitching to a 2.98 ERA and emerging as the team's clear ace after trading Verlander and Max Scherzer at the trade deadline. Senga overcame early bouts of control issues to start the year and ended up finishing second in the Rookie of the Year voting.
Now, he begins the season on the shelf, weakening a rotation filled with question marks, including the oft-injured Luis Severino.
