Mets make decision on All-Star starting pitcher

The Mets announced that right-hander Kodai Senga was transferred to the 60-day injured list. That’s the corresponding move to open a roster spot for left-hander Tyler Jay, who was reported to be joining the club earlier.

During spring training, Senga, 31, was diagnosed with a moderate posterior capsule strain in his throwing shoulder and started the season on the 15-day IL. He’ll now be ineligible to return until 60 days from that initial IL placement in late May. Manager Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday that Senga still has not thrown off a mound, per Will Sammon of The Athletic.

The news of Senga’s injury came in late February, and the club initially planned for a shutdown period of at least three weeks, though they later planned on adding another seven to ten days to be cautious. It was reported almost three weeks ago that Senga was to begin a throwing program, but the fact that he has not made it to a mound yet suggests that he either had some sort of setback or is being ramped up very slowly. Whatever the reason, the Mets apparently don’t expect Senga to be able to rejoin the club in the next six weeks.

It’s obviously a frustrating development for Senga and the team. The righty came over from Japan last year and was an immediate success, pitching 166 1/3 innings with a 2.98 earned run average. His 11.1% walk rate was a tad high, but he struck out 29.1% of batters faced while keeping 44.7% of balls in play on the ground. He finished seventh in the National Cy Young voting and second in the Rookie of the Year voting.

Rotation health has been an issue for the Mets so far this year. David Peterson required hip surgery in the offseason and began the year on the IL, while Senga and Max Kranick followed him due to spring injuries, the latter suffering a hamstring strain. Tylor Megill took a rotation spot to start the year but landed on the IL himself after just one outing due to a shoulder strain.

The current rotation consists of Sean Manaea, Jose Quintana, Luis Severino and Adrian Houser, with José Buttó likely to be recalled soon to join that group. Until the injured hurlers return, Joey Lucchesi is likely the top depth option, as he’s on the 40-man roster and currently on optional assignment.