Mets make shocking NLDS roster move that could save their starting rotation

After capturing the most dramatic postseason win in recent memory on Thursday night, the New York Mets advanced to the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies. Their 4-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in the Wild Card round clinched the do-or-die contest and has the team riding an all-time high.

And it appears the Amazins are far from running out of tricks up their sleeve. On Friday, it was revealed the Mets would be activating star pitcher Kodai Senga off the injured list. A shocking turn of events. He'll be starting Game 1 of the NLDS.

Senga missed the first four months of the season with shoulder issues and returned on July 26 for a start against the Atlanta Braves. Fans couldn't have been more relieved to see him back as the Mets found a groove and really needed the pitching help.

But Senga, in the sixth inning of that game, collapsed in a heap after throwing a pitch, and had to be helped off the field by the medical staff. It was unclear what had happened, but it was later revealed he suffered a calf strain.

The severity of the strain forced him out for the remainder of the regular season, so the right-hander has pitched just 5 1/3 innings since the end of 2023. Nonetheless, this gives the Mets a chance to elongate their rotation and rest some of their tired arms.

Mets make shocking NLDS roster move that could save their starting rotation

It's unclear what Senga could offer having not pitched for so long, but his promising return from the IL the first time around should provide some hope he could make a bigger impact than some might think.

As a rookie in 2023, Senga was an All-Star and pitched to a 2.98 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 202 strikeouts in 166 1/3 innings (29 starts). The potential is there for him to twirl a gem. It especially helps that he's held the Phillies to just two earned runs in two starts totaling 12 1/3 innings in his brief MLB career.

On Thursday night, it was reported that Senga could be a consideration for the NLDS roster. Just hours later, he was tabbed the guy to toe the rubber in a hostile Citizens Bank Park for the start of the Phillies' postseason.

It could be genius. It could be a disaster. But the Mets' vibes couldn't be better, so this has the feels of Mendoza and the front office pressing the right buttons.