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Kodai Senga injury aches even more for the NY Mets after 2 Friday pitching disasters

We're really going to miss Kodai Senga, aren't we?
ByTim Boyle|
Jun 12, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) and second baseman Jeff McNeil (1) watch as starting pitcher Kodai Senga (34) is tended to after sustaining an injury during the sixth inning against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Jun 12, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) and second baseman Jeff McNeil (1) watch as starting pitcher Kodai Senga (34) is tended to after sustaining an injury during the sixth inning against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

We knew we’d miss Kodai Senga at any length. But a pair of New York Mets pitching disasters on Friday made his hamstring injury hurt the fans as well.

Still unsure of a timetable as to when the Mets could get the guy who is essentially their ace back from the IL, a “next man up” mentality is what the pitching staff needs to embrace. Mentally embracing it is different from execution. Unfortunately on Friday, two contenders to fill the gap for Senga during his absence didn’t have on a black hood. Their head was on the chopping block.

Paul Blackburn and Frankie Montas gave fans a Grade 100 hamstring injury on Friday

Let’s begin with Paul Blackburn. In what was designated to be his final relief appearance before actually rejoining the rotation next Wednesday in Atlanta, Blackburn put up a stinker. He entered in the sixth inning and three straight singles gave the trailing Tampa Bay Rays an opening. He’d get the fourth batter out of the inning before Jake Mangum got his Mets revenge with a two-run single. Blackburn would leave after, charging with 4 runs on 4 hits in 0.1 innings. 

Blackburn the starter versus the reliever has the possibility of looking differently. In his lone start against the Los Angeles Dodgers, he gave the Mets 5 shutout frames. He has been a much worse pitcher in relief, eating up 4 innings of relief in his other outing but giving up 3 earned runs to the lowly Colorado Rockies.

We all understand Blackburn is starting pitching depth. Originally planned to be a hybrid pitcher with the bulk of innings coming as a long reliever, the far more concerning story is how badly Frankie Montas has done in the minors. An atrocious rehab stint on Friday that lasted 1.2 innings and included 8 earned runs against him, Montas’ overall numbers against minor league hitters this year have been abominable. 

Through 5 starts and 13.2 innings, Montas has a 13.17 ERA, 23 hits allowed, 20 earned runs, 7 home runs, 9 walks, and 10 strikeouts. The results have been continually worse. Excuses have run dry.

The early part of Senga’s absence should include one of these men taking his spot in the rotation. Eventually, Sean Manaea will be back. Blackburn is easy to dismiss. He can be more reasonably placed in the bullpen or even released if they have to. Montas will earn more rope because of his contract status ($17 million this year AND next season if he opts in). 

Under David Stearns, the Mets have shown a willingness to eat dead money on underperforming players. They haven’t done it with the amount owed to Montas. And despite miserable results in his rehab, he’s going to have his opportunity in the majors in some capacity.

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