Even if the Mets reach deep into Steve Cohen’s vault and lure the most hyped free agent of all time to Queens this offseason, Shohei Ohtani likely would not be a part of the team’s rotation next season.
The two-way superstar has a decision to make with a torn UCL.
The surest thing returning to the Mets’ starting five is Ohtani’s fellow countryman, who continues to show he might be the next ace for a club that no longer has Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander.
Kodai Senga was excellent again in a series-opening, 3-1 loss to Ohtani’s Angels on Friday in front of 38,271 at Citi Field.
Senga was not the chief attraction on Japanese Heritage Night, but he remained one of the club’s best developments in an otherwise dreary season.
“We’re proud of him,” manager Buck Showalter said of Senga. “He won’t admit it, but I’m sure [the night meant a bit extra].”
Kodai Senga throws a pitch during the Mets’ 3-1 loss to the Angels. Robert Sabo for NY Post
Senga allowed two runs on four hits and three walks — two to Ohtani — in 6 ²/₃ strong innings. He tallied double-digit strikeouts (10) for the third time this season and continues to excel with pure stuff over pinpoint command.
The 30-year-old began his first season in MLB with a 4.15 ERA in five April starts. He has posted a 2.94 ERA in 19 starts since, proving he can survive the grind of the marathon season and proving his stuff plays against anyone.
Except maybe Ohtani.
Senga faced Ohtani three times and threw 13 pitches — just two that landed in the strike zone. One of those two, a third-inning double, was blasted 115.4 mph for a double into right. After a sacrifice fly from Brandon Drury and an RBI single from Mike Moustakas, the Mets were put in a hole they did not escape.
Shohei Ohtani is walked during the fifth inning of the Mets’ loss. Robert Sabo for NY Post“He’s a very special player, and I think that in itself makes [facing Ohtani] very special,” said Senga, who did not get a chance to chat with his former Team Japan teammate but hopes to this weekend.
Hitters have grown accustomed to seeing Senga’s ghost forkball but not yet to hitting it. Angels batters swung at his disappearing, signature pitch 18 times — and missed 15. The other three swings were foul balls; they did not put a ghost fork in play.
Senga could pitch around Ohtani and use the forkball to finish off most of the rest of the lineup.
Francisco Lindor is greeted by Pete Alonso after scoring on a solo homer during the third inning of the Mets’ loss. Robert Sabo for NY Post“It’s a good night for [Senga and Ohtani] and baseball. They both presented themselves well,” said Showalter, even if it was not a good night for the Mets (59-70), who fell back into sole possession of last place in the NL East.
Senga, whose 3.17 ERA ranks fifth among qualified starters in the NL, is on the periphery of the Cy Young race and mounting a strong argument for a top-three finish for NL Rookie of the Year, even if Arizona’s Corbin Carroll likely has the award locked up.
The night might have more belonged to Ohtani. The Mets will hope next season, at least on the mound, can be Senga’s.
