The New York Mets’ remarkable 2025 season just hit its first real test — and it’s a big one.
Kodai Senga, the ace of the staff and the anchor of baseball’s best rotation, will be placed on the injured list after straining his right hamstring in Thursday’s win over the Nationals.
The clubhouse felt anything but celebratory while the team extended its win streak to six games and pushed its record to a commanding 45–24. That’s what happens when your Cy Young front-runner suddenly hits the shelf.
A Bad Step with Worse Timing
The play itself looked routine enough — until it wasn’t. A grounder to first from CJ Abrams should’ve been an easy out. But Pete Alonso’s throw to Senga, covering first, was a bit high, forcing the right-hander to leap and awkwardly land on the bag. He immediately reached for his hamstring.
To his credit, Senga walked off on his own. That gave the crowd some hope, but nobody was breathing easily yet. GM Carlos Mendoza confirmed Senga will get an MRI on Friday. Until then, all anyone can do is wait.
Alonso, visibly shaken postgame, took the blame for the errant toss. But Senga told him afterward that the discomfort had actually started before the awkward landing, which somehow made it all feel worse. Alonso summed it up simply: “It just sucks.”
Senga’s Dominance Made the Mets Elite
The loss stings harder when you consider what Senga’s meant to the Mets this season. Through 13 starts, he’s posted a jaw-dropping 1.47 ERA — the best in baseball — and has been every bit the ace this team was counting on. That ERA wasn’t just dominance for show — it was foundational. The Mets lead MLB with a 2.80 staff ERA, and Senga was its sharpest edge.
Take him away, and it’s not just a rotation hole. It’s a potential identity shift.
Enter Montas and Manaea
Luckily for New York, the rotation depth isn’t just hype — it’s about to pay off. Both Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea are expected back later this month. What was a luxurious debate over how to fit them into a loaded rotation now becomes a necessity. One, if not both, will need to step in immediately.
And if you’re a Mets fan wondering who to trust, look no further than Sean Manaea. He already proved he could rise in Senga’s absence. Last season, he not only filled the gap — he became the team’s de facto ace during its NLCS run, logging a 3.47 ERA and a WAR of 3.0. That performance earned him a hefty three-year, $75 million commitment.
Montas, meanwhile, is a bit more of a wild card. The Mets gave him two years and $34 million betting on his ceiling — and now they might need to find out what that ceiling looks like sooner than planned. Mendoza said Senga’s injury won’t rush Montas’ return, but depending on the MRI results, that timeline could shift quickly.
How Much Can This Rotation Bend?
One thing’s for sure: the Mets are built to handle adversity like this. It’s part of what makes their 2025 surge so different from previous, more brittle iterations.
Senga’s injury is a gut punch, but it’s not a knockout. Not with Manaea waiting in the wings. Not with Montas close behind. And not with a staff that’s earned its rep as the best in baseball.
Still, losing your ace always hurts, especially when he’s pitching like this. The next few days will bring clarity, but one thing is already crystal clear — the Mets’ rotation depth is about to be tested for the first time this season. And the whole league will be watching to see if they can pass.
