Panic sets in as Mets All-Star ace deals with possible injury

If the New York Mets want to contend with the Atlanta Braves, Miami Marlins and Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East, they can't afford to see their top starting pitchers miss extended time with injuries like last year.

When Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer were dealt to the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers, respectively, last summer, Kodai Senga became the unquestioned ace of the staff. The Japanese right-hander flourished as a rookie, going 12-7 with a 2.98 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 202 strikeouts in 166 1/3 innings pitched over 29 starts. Senga was named an All-Star, was the NL Rookie of the Year runner-up and finished seventh in the senior circuit's Cy Young voting.

Spring training's only just begun, making Wednesday's update on the 31-year-old that much more worrisome and leading to a sense of "here we go again" from fans in Queens.