Kodai Senga’s season debut on Friday night was cut short by another injury.
This time, it’s a left calf stain.
In the top of the sixth inning with the Mets leading 8-2, the Braves’ Austin Riley hit an infield pop-up that Pete Alonso called for, waving his hands in the air.
While moving out of the way for his teammate, Senga went down on the grass in visible pain and was holding his left calf.
Trainers quickly ran to the Japanese ace to assess the situation.
It was deemed enough for Senga to leave the game, and he eventually walked off the field on his own while receiving a standing ovation from the Citi Field crowd and hugs from his teammates for an otherwise successful debut.
New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga falls and grabs his left leg on Friday night during his return start. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga falls and grabs his left leg on Friday night during his return start. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Kodai Senga exits his first start of 2024. Corey Sipkin for the NY POSTSenga, who started the season on the injured list with a shoulder issue, allowed two runs on two hits and one walk while also tallying nine strikeouts across 5 1/3 innings.
Right-hander Eric Orze replaced Senga for the remainder of the inning.
Marcell Ozuna immediately blasted a home run solo homer, though Orze worked out of the inning without further damage.
Orze had only pitched in one game for the big league club prior to Friday — allowing three runs without recording an out in an 8-2 loss to the Pirates on July 8.
