Mets Considering Kodai Senga For NLDS Roster

The Mets are considering activating Kodai Senga for their National League Division Series roster, reports Mike Puma of the New York Post (X link). The Athletic’s Will Sammon writes that the decision hinges on whether the Mets want to devote a spot to another pitcher who would be limited to short outings.

New York was a couple outs away from not having a call to make. Pete Alonso’s dramatic three-run homer off Devin Williams in the ninth inning erased a 2-0 deficit. The Mets stunned the Brewers to advance to the NLDS for the first time since their 2015 pennant campaign. They’ll head to Philadelphia for a set with the NL East champion Phillies. The series begins on Saturday afternoon. Zack Wheeler will get the ball for the Phils against a yet unannounced Mets starter. Anthony DiComo of MLB.com tweeted tonight that Tylor Megill is the leading candidate to start Game 1.

Senga isn’t an option for the rotation but could contribute an inning out of the bullpen. The 31-year-old righty threw 25 pitches in a bullpen session earlier this week. Senga’s second MLB season has been almost completely wiped out by injury. Spring Training shoulder issues kept him out until July. He sustained a significant calf strain during his first start back and has been on the injured list since then. Senga made a push for a return late in the regular season that was halted by triceps soreness.

New York has leaned heavily on the bullpen, especially their closer, as they’ve battled to keep their season alive. They used four relievers — including a 40-pitch outing from Edwin Díaz — to clinch a playoff spot in the first game of Monday’s doubleheader against Atlanta. That afforded them the luxury of staying away from leverage arms in Game 2 of the twin bill, but they didn’t have any off days before heading to Milwaukee.

Manager Carlos Mendoza called upon José Buttó for two innings and Ryne Stanek for a frame on Tuesday. The Mets used Reed Garrett, Stanek, and Phil Maton for an inning each on Wednesday. (Maton blew the lead and took the loss.) Buttó surrendered back-to back homers and was quickly pulled tonight, so the Mets turned to Díaz for another 39 pitches to keep their deficit at two going into the ninth. David Peterson got the ball in the bottom half and locked down the save. Tomorrow’s off day will help, but the Phils will obviously have the fresher bullpen in the early portion of the series.

The Mets carried the maximum 13 pitchers for the Wild Card series. They’ll need to drop at least one to make room for Megill, who was left off the Wild Card roster because the Mets didn’t need five starters. Activating Senga would drop a second pitcher. Max Kranick, Adam Ottavino, Huascar Brazobán and Danny Young did not pitch in the Wild Card series. Kranick and Brazobán are probably the likeliest to be pushed off the roster. The Mets would also need to make a 40-man roster move to activate Senga from the 60-day IL. That’s a formality that could be achieved by moving Paul Blackburn or Dedniel Núñez to the 60-day IL.