4 injured Mets players whose health could factor into the team’s trade deadline focus

2) Kodai Senga

Will Kodai Senga come back and finish off the year looking more like Carlos Carrasco in 2021 or Jose Quintana in 2023? Maybe somewhere in between? An outstanding pitcher last year for the Mets, we should prepare for slow progress once he finally does return from a season-long IL stint.

Gathering as much information as they can from Senga about how he feels is crucial for the Mets over the next couple of days. They need to know for sure if they can 1) trade a different starting pitcher or 2) need to get someone else.

As a personal driver of the ship that says the Mets absolutely shouldn’t trade a starting pitcher away and would do themselves a big favor by actually acquiring one, some honest answers from Senga about how he’s feeling heading into the trade deadline will help the Mets determine their plans. If he does start on Friday, they'll get to see how he can perform in a big game against major league competition.

Senga won’t get more than one start before the trade deadline arrives. On track to start on Friday against the Atlanta Braves, the outcome of that appearance and if he comes out of it feeling healthy will give the Mets as much information as they can get.

A productive Senga could be key for the Mets’ postseason chances. The Mets rotation needs a true number one. That’s what this guy can be.