The Mets new and improved starting pitching depth is already being tested.
On Thursday, Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns announced ace Kodai Senga was diagnosed with a moderate right posterior capsule strain in his right shoulder. Two days prior, the 31-year-old complained of arm fatigue after throwing in the bullpen and subsequently underwent an MRI.
Stearns indicated Senga will likely begin the season on the injured list, only to start throwing once his symptoms subside. No timetable was given for when this progression might occur.
With Senga sidelined for an unspecified period, the rotation looks far worse than it did just several days ago. Though New York added multiple starting pitchers in the offseason — namely Luis Severino, Adrian Houser and Sean Manaea — none are capable of headlining a pitching unit.
José Quintana will most likely take Senga’s spot as Opening Day starter, but the 35-year-old missed the first couple months of last season due to injury and posted a 3.57 ERA over 13 starts.