Kodai Senga likely starting the 2024 season on the injured list with a shoulder strain

Senga reported a shoulder issue during a bullpen session in Port St. Lucie earlier this week

The ceiling for the Mets pitching staff just got lowered for now.

On Wednesday morning in Port St. Lucie, Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Kodai Senga underwent an MRI on his right shoulder, and it showed he has a moderate right posterior capsule strain.

Stearns said Senga is likely to start the season on the injured list and will not throw until his symptoms subside and his arm strength returns.

In addition, Stearns indicated it would be unlikely the Mets sign any additional free agents to mitigate the loss of Senga, who’s return date is currently unknown.

Senga reported what he considered to be right arm fatigue to manager Carlos Mendoza on Tuesday after he threw in the bullpen at the Mets complex in Port St. Lucie. He underwent an MRI on Wednesday.

The Mets had been very judicious about managing Senga’s workload and stamina over his first full year in the major leagues. 26 of his 29 starts came with at least five days of rest in 2023 and the Mets hinted they would use the same diligence with Senga in 2024 in an effort to keep him strong and healthy.

In the end, Senga got hurt anyway and it remains to be seen when he might return.

In Senga’s absence, Tylor Megill, José Buttó, or Joey Lucchesi will all have the opportunity to claim a spot in the rotation this spring behind José Quintana, Sean Manaea, Adrian Houser and Luis Severino.

In addition to Senga, David Peterson will begin the first part of the year on the injured list while he continues to recover from off-season hip surgery.

Senga, 31, signed a five-year, $75 million contract before the 2023 season. He went 12-7 with a 2.93 ERA over 29 starts and 166.1 IP in his rookie season.