Mets’ Kodai Senga ‘trending’ toward being available for NLDS Game 5 vs. Phillies

NEW YORK — Kodai Senga remains in the mix.

The Mets right-hander could be an option for a potential NLDS Game 5 against the Phillies following his surprise start in Game 1, manager Carlos Mendoza said Monday.

“As for right now, it’s trending in that direction,” Mendoza said during his team’s optional workout at Citi Field.

Senga was expected to be the Mets’ No. 1 starter this year, but he missed the first four months of the season after being diagnosed during spring training with a shoulder strain.

He then suffered a high-grade calf strain during his 2024 debut on July 26. He tried to return by the end of last month but experienced triceps tightness during a one-inning rehab start on Sept. 21, ending his regular season.

It came as a surprise when the Mets announced Senga, 31, would start Game 1 in Philadelphia on Saturday. He allowed one run in two innings on 31 pitches in the Mets’ 6-2 win.

“He continues to feel good,” Mendoza said Monday. “He’s here now. He’s doing everything that he has to do to continue to feel that way. So progressing well and in a good spot.”

Fellow Mets starter David Peterson pitched three scoreless innings in relief in Game 1 after Senga exited.

“We have to see how he’s feeling tomorrow, and if he’s available for us out of the bullpen, we’ll use him if we need to,” Mendoza said Monday of Peterson.

“He’s flexible, he’s fluid, so if we need to make a start and he’s fully rested up for it, we’ll use him that way. But we’re going to continue to treat it as day-by-day, game-by-game, and if he’s available and we feel like we want to use him, we’ll use him.”

With their best-of-five NLDS series tied 1-1, the Mets plan to start Sean Manaea in Game 3 and Jose Quintana in Game 4, both of which will take place at Citi Field. The series would return to Philadelphia for Game 5 if the teams split in Queens.

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