Senga's Return: Mets' Ace Chasing All-Star Magic

It's March 31st.

You're listening to MLB News today, AI-powered MLB coverage.

Kodai Shinga, the meds 33-year-old Ace, makes his season debut tonight against the Cardinals

at Bush Stadium, first pitch at 7, 45 p.m. eastern time.

He's chasing that all-star magic from 2023 when he posted a 2.98 earned run average.

This spring in Greyfruit League action, Shinga looked sharp, giving up just two runs,

over 9 and 2-thirds innings, while striking out 11 and, walking only 1.

Both runs came from solo homers in his first start back on March 7th versus the same Cardinals.

The meds missed the playoffs last year, and Shinga's return could steady this rebuild squad.

Injuries wrecked his 2024 and 2025 campaigns.

He started strong with a 1.47 earned run average over.

13 outings before a hamstring strain sidelined him, leading to struggles in a minor league stint.

Now his fastball is hitting the upper 90s again, topping out at 98.9 miles per hour, a velocity

not seen in regular season, play since August of 2023.

That signature ghost fork is biting hitters too, racking up swings and misses.

With Shinga feeling fully healthy, the meds hope he anchors their rotation, and sparks

a turn around right out the gate.