Kodai Senga’s afternoon was rolling, until a routine grounder to first base in Thursday’s sixth inning landed him on the injured list.
The right-hander covered first base and upon landing on the bag after receiving Pete Alonso’s high throw, grabbed for his right hamstring. Senga tumbled to the ground and after a delay walked off the field, unable to continue.
Manager Carlos Mendoza said after the Mets’ 4-3 win that Senga will go on the IL with a strained hamstring and is set for an MRI on Friday.
The Mets have avoided casualties to their starting rotation since spring training, when they lost Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea to the injured list, but the team — with Montas and Manaea nearing return — may now have to look toward its rotation depth.
The primary option if Senga is sidelined would be Paul Blackburn, who has been squeezed to the bullpen.
Blackburn, who has been the subject of recent trade talks, served as the Mets’ sixth starter last week in Los Angeles.
Senga on this day pitched 5 2/3 shutout innings against the Nationals and allowed one hit and one walk with five strikeouts to lower his MLB-leading ERA to 1.54.