Senga added to NL All-Star roster, will join Alonso in Seattle
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SAN DIEGO – Mets right-hander Kodai Senga’s plans for the All-Star break have changed, and for good reason: He was named to the National League All-Star roster on Saturday.
“We are excited for him,’’ Mets manager Buck Showalter said. “We know how much it means to him and us.’’
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Senga (7-5, 3.31 ERA) was thrilled to be ticketed for T-Mobile Park in Seattle next week, although he kept his feelings in check.
“I know that it is a place where amazing players go, and to be selected on a team like that is very surprising,’’ said Senga, who will be accompanied by teammate Pete Alonso in Seattle. “Once I get to Seattle, I will have more emotions.’’
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It’s a celebrated list of Mets rookies who have earned All-Star nods. Senga joined Alonso (2019), Dwight Gooden (1984), Jerry Koosman (1968) and Tom Seaver (1967) to play in the Midsummer Classic during their initial years.
“First of all, I am very surprised. But I know it’s an honor,’’ Senga said. “I wasn’t initially selected, and I really didn’t think anything of it. So it kind of caught me by surprise.’’
Senga is coming off his strongest outing of the year. He limited the D-backs to a run and four hits over eight innings while striking out a career-high 12 batters on Wednesday.
Although Senga mentioned his inconsistency this season, he’ll head to the Pacific Northwest leading all MLB rookie pitchers in wins (seven) and strikeouts (113).
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Senga is the eighth native of Japan to make an All-Star team, and, of course, there’s a chance he could battle his countryman, Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani, on Tuesday.
“If I could choose, I would choose not to face him,’’ Senga said with a wide smile. “But I know the fans in Japan would love it and the fans here would love it too.
“Whatever happens, if he gets a hit off me or if I happen to get him out, I just want to enjoy the moment.’’
Showalter said Senga has the green light to pitch.
“Whatever he wants to do,’’ Showalter said. “I’m sure they wouldn’t have taken him if he wasn’t supportive of that. If we have to make some adjustments post All-Star break, we will.’’
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The Mets’ second-half rotation could include lefty José Quintana, who’s working his way back from rib surgery. He threw 79 pitches in a rehab start for Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday, working 4 1/3 innings and allowing five runs, four hits and three walks, with five strikeouts.
Quintana is scheduled to throw a simulated game on Thursday, his last step before being activated.
But the spotlight Saturday was on Senga.
“He is pretty excited about it, but he is trying to be respectful, as he always is, to somebody who maybe didn’t get picked from another club or our club,’’ Showalter said. “It’s a great tribute for him.’’