“Once I am out there, I can dominate and help the team win,” remarked the New York Mets’ Kodai Senga, who recently met an ill fate. Currently, in his second year of the five-year, $75 million contract, Senga exhibited remarkable performance in his rookie season, avoiding the injury list. However, the beginning of the 2024 Spring Training has left him with no choice but to be sidelined for quite a significant time, which possesses a threat to his Opening Day starting pitching. For now, the Queens have put forward a best-case scenario.

While the exceptional player is scaling his recovery process, the Mets are picturing their roaster list without Senga.

Although “Mets’ aren’t committing to a timeline, if you do the math...”

The 31-year-old pitcher told his team that following his first bullpen session of spring training, a disturbing fatigue appeared in the shoulder, which persisted following the throwing session last week. It was the time when the authority decided to send him to New York for an MRI exam, which showed a moderate strain of the posterior capsule in the shoulder.

Following the diagnosis, he got the platelet-rich plasma injection in his ailing right shoulder, which not only benched him of the opening-day started but also will keep him sidelined from throwing for the next three weeks, as reported by Mets’ reporter, Anthony DiComo.

Furthermore, he declared that a “three-week shutdown plus a standard six-week spring training buildup”, meaning the Kodai won’t be able to pitch until the end of April. Stating the earliest possibility, DiComo said, “May is more likely.”

The team’s manager, Carlos Mandoza added, “Let the shot do the work, and once we start ramping up his throwing program, we’ll have a better idea how he’s bouncing back and all that. We got to let it heal.” Though Senga returned to the Mets’ training camp after two days of getting the injection, he “likely will be on the injured list when the Mets open the season on March 28,” reports ESPN.

Senga’s absence will surely put a significant mark on the team’s performance, as he has been the most dependable starting pitcher in the 2023 season. However, the team isn’t necessarily planning to sign any mammoth deal to lock demanding pitchers available in the market like Blake Snell or Jordan Montgomery. Rather, they are finding Senga’s replacement with in-house options like Tylor Megill, Jose Butto or Joey Lucchesi until the Japanese man reappears with refined enthusiasm.

Read More: New York Mets’ Kodai Senga Setback, Top Pitchers to Replace Japanese Ace as MLB Season Nears

Senga, being the epitome of confidence, hopes for the best

Senga, who finished second in NL Rookie of the Year voting and seventh in the NL Cy Young race last season with a 2.98 ERA and 202 strikeouts in 166.1 innings, is looking forward to bringing forth the best for his team.

He remarked through his interpreter, “The only thing I really have to say is I am using my time to my benefit. I am working on things I need to work on and making sure I can get out there as quickly as possible, and once I am out there, I can dominate and help the team win,” indicating his stronger will to make his team stand out.

Read More: Yoshinobu Yamamoto Faces All-Star Expectations, Kodai Senga’s Rookie Exploits Set High Benchmark