If Senga lands on the injured list for an extended period of time, the Mets will likely slide Paul Blackburn back into the rotation and call up reliever. When asked about using Blackburn, Mendoza said the right-hander will be available out of the bullpen for their next series against the Rays, and that they “will go from there.”

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed before Friday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays that Paul Blackburn will get the start on Wednesday against the Atlanta Braves in place of the injured Kodai Senga.

The New York Mets staked starting pitcher Kodai Senga a 3-0 lead against the Washington Nationals on Thursday afternoon. Pitching with two outs and the bases empty in the bottom of the second, Senga decided it was the perfect opportunity to explore the space with a 2-2 eephus pitch to José Tena.