MILWAUKEE — The Mets’ season is underway, and so are Kodai Senga’s chances of returning to the field for the team this season.
After the Mets scored a wild 4-2 victory over the Brewers in Game 3 of the NL Wild Card Series on Thursday, a club source told the Post that Senga, who pitched all 5 ¹/₃ innings for team this season, is “in the conversation” for a spot on the NLDS roster.
Senga pitched a bullpen in recent days following a session facing hitters during live batting practice.
The right-hander has spent the last two weeks recovering from a triceps strain he suffered while starting minor league rehab two weeks ago.
Before his setback, Mets officials were considering a regular-season appearance by Senga, either opening the game or working out of the bullpen.
Senga did not develop enough during his rehab due to a calf strain to be considered for a full start.
So if Senga is deemed ready to help the Mets, the most likely scenario is to limit him to 30-40 pitches in a to-be-determined role.
Senga strained his calf in his first start on the injured list in July after recovering from a shoulder strain and triceps strain that kept him sidelined during the first four months of the season.
Tylor Megill has emerged as a candidate to start Game 1 of the NLDS in Philadelphia.
David Peterson, who should have pitched on full rest Saturday, was used from the bullpen Thursday.
The left-hander pitched a scoreless ninth inning, and that might have been enough to eliminate him from the chance to start Game 1 against the Phillies.
Team officials will discuss whether to start Megill or Peterson.
Megill was left off the wild-card list after starting the playoff-clinching game against the Braves on Monday.
The right-hander allowed three earned runs in 5 ²/₃ innings in the start.
Luis Severino would be fully rested to pitch on Sunday, but the Mets could also consider Peterson at that spot.
Jesse Winker, a villain just about everywhere he goes, has been booed in so many visiting stadiums this season that Mendoza said he boos the veteran outfielder as he walks past him.
“Every time I see him, I boo him,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “I told him they only boo the good players.”
The Mets improved to 4-5 all-time in winner-take-all playoff games.
Their last was in 2022, when they lost in Game 3 of the wild-card series to the Padres.
Their last such start-off victory dates back to Game 5 of the NLDS against the Dodgers in 2015.
